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Understanding California Traffic Tickets: The Basics

A traffic ticket in California is a citation issued by law enforcement when a driver violates traffic laws. These citations come in several forms, and understanding the differences matters because each type has different consequences and procedures. The California Department of Motor Vehicles reports that millions of traffic citations are issued annually across the state, making it important for drivers to understand what they're receiving when stopped.

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There are two main categories of traffic violations in California: infractions and misdemeanors. Infractions are minor violations, such as speeding, running a red light, or expired registration. These typically result in fines and points on your driving record. Misdemeanors are more serious violations, such as reckless driving or driving with a suspended license. Misdemeanor citations can result in fines, jail time, license suspension, or a combination of these penalties.

When you receive a traffic ticket, the citation will include specific information: the violation code from the California Vehicle Code, the fine amount, the court jurisdiction, and your options for response. The ticket also includes a date by which you must respond to the court. This response date is not optional—failing to respond can result in additional penalties, including a suspended license and warrant for your arrest.

California uses a point system tracked by the Department of Motor Vehicles. When you receive a traffic conviction, points are added to your driving record. Accumulating too many points in a short time period can trigger license suspension or other consequences. Different violations carry different point values: for example, a speeding ticket typically adds one point, while reckless driving adds two points.

Practical Takeaway: Keep your traffic citation in a safe place and note the response deadline. Understanding whether you received an infraction or misdemeanor helps you know what steps to take next.

Your Options When You Receive a California Traffic Citation

Once you receive a traffic ticket in California, you have several options for how to respond. The citation itself will outline these options, which typically include paying the fine, requesting a trial, or contesting the ticket through traffic school. Knowing what each option involves can help you understand the potential outcomes and what information matters for your situation.

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The first option is to pay the fine as stated on the ticket. This is often called "bail" in legal terms, though it functions as a fine payment rather than traditional bail. When you pay the fine, you are admitting responsibility for the violation. The amount varies depending on the violation and the county where the ticket was issued. According to the Judicial Council of California, base fines for common violations range from $100 to $250, though penalties and assessments can significantly increase the total amount owed.

The second option is to request a trial, sometimes called "trial by written declaration" or an in-person trial. In a trial by written declaration, you write an explanation of the ticket to the court, and the officer who cited you can respond with their own written statement. The judge reviews both statements without either person appearing in court. If you choose an in-person trial, you appear before a judge, and both you and the citing officer can present evidence and testimony. The judge then decides whether you committed the violation.

The third option that may be available is traffic school, sometimes called traffic violator school. This program involves attending classes about traffic safety and laws. In California, traffic school is typically available only for minor infractions, and you may be able to complete it instead of or in addition to paying a fine. Successful completion of traffic school can prevent points from being added to your driving record, which is significant because points can affect your insurance rates and eventually lead to license suspension.

You also have the option to request a continuance, which delays your court date. This might be useful if you need more time to gather evidence or prepare your case. The court may grant or deny this request depending on circumstances and local court rules.

Practical Takeaway: Read your citation carefully to understand the exact violation, the fine amount, and the deadline to respond. Each response option has different implications for your driving record and insurance.

How to Read and Understand Your California Traffic Ticket

The information on your traffic citation contains important details that affect your next steps. Learning what each section means helps you understand the violation and your options. A California traffic citation includes multiple sections, each serving a specific purpose in the legal process.

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The citation number at the top is a unique identifier for your ticket. This number is important if you need to contact the court or look up information about your case. Below this is the name and badge number of the officer who issued the citation. The date and time of the violation are listed, along with the location where the violation occurred.

The Vehicle Code section is crucial—this is the specific law you allegedly violated. For example, Vehicle Code Section 21453 refers to running a red light, while Section 22350 refers to speeding. Understanding the specific code helps you know exactly what law the officer says you broke. This matters because different violations have different point values and different procedures.

The citation will show the base fine amount for that violation. However, this is not the total amount you will owe. California law requires that courts add penalties and assessments on top of the base fine. These additions typically include court operations assessments, DNA penalty assessments, and county penalty assessments. The actual total fine is often three to four times the base amount. For example, a $100 base fine might result in a total fine of $300 to $400 after all assessments are added.

The citation includes a box labeled with your options for responding. This typically shows whether you can pay the fine, request a trial, or request traffic school. Some citations indicate traffic school is "available upon request," while others may state it is not available for that particular violation. Your driving record and the type of violation determine whether traffic school is an option for you.

The response deadline is critical. This date—usually 30 days from the citation date—is your deadline to take action with the court. This might mean paying the fine, requesting a trial, or requesting traffic school. Missing this date can result in a failure to appear charge, which carries its own penalties including possible license suspension and a warrant for your arrest.

The citation also includes information about the court where your case is handled. This is the court where you would go for a trial or where you send payment or requests. Different cities and counties have different courts, so making sure you contact the correct court is essential.

Practical Takeaway: Write down the Vehicle Code section, the court location, and the response deadline on a separate document. These three pieces of information are what you need to take any action regarding your ticket.

Information About Traffic School in California

Traffic school, officially called traffic violator school in California, is an educational program that provides information about traffic safety and California driving laws. Understanding how traffic school works can help you determine whether it might be relevant to your situation. Traffic school is not a punishment but rather an educational option available for certain traffic violations.

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The primary benefit of traffic school is that successful completion can prevent points from being added to your driving record with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This is significant because points remain on your driving record and can affect auto insurance rates. Insurance companies often increase premiums when points appear on your record. Additionally, accumulating too many points in a specific time period—typically four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months—can result in a license suspension or revocation.

Not all traffic violations make traffic school available. Traffic school is generally available only for minor infractions, typically moving violations where you received a ticket while operating the vehicle. It is usually not available for parking violations, violations involving alcohol or drugs, or violations that resulted in an accident. Additionally, California law limits traffic school attendance: you can typically attend traffic school once every 18 months. If you have attended traffic school within the past 18 months, you are not eligible to attend again, even if you receive another ticket.

If traffic school is available for your violation, you typically request it when you respond to your citation. The court then informs you of the cost and requirements. Traffic school fees generally range from $50 to $200 depending on the school and the county. Some courts allow online traffic school courses, which can be completed from home, while others require in-person attendance at a classroom. The courses typically take four to eight hours to complete.

The process for completing traffic school varies by court, but generally works like this: you request traffic school in your response to the citation, the court approves your request and notifies you of the deadline for