Traffic Tickets: A to Z

  How Do I Take Care of My Traffic Ticket?
  Traffic School
  Traffic Court Location & Hours
  Extensions
  Court Dates
  Hearing Types
  Warrants & Corporate Summons

  Citations/Violations

  Parking Citations
  Photo Citations
  Owners Responsibility Citations
  Insurance Violations
  Proof of Correction (Fix-It Tickets)
  Appeals

  Trials
  Paying Violations

  Paying Fines (Bail Forfeiture)
  Bail Refunds
  Fees
  Failure to Appear or Pay Violations

  Frequently Asked Questions
  Resources & Referrals
  Rules/Forms
  Self-Service Home
  Main Court Site

Self Service Home  |  Glossary  |  Search  |  Site Map  |  Feedback  |  Contact
Traffic Court

TRAFFIC COURT NEWS 8/08: Make traffic payments online! See e-payment website and News Release 6/08: Traffic records online - see website and the News Release 5/08: Traffic Court moved to Santa Clara - see courthouse page and News Release

The Traffic Court section of this website tells you how to deal with violations of traffic laws that are “infractions.”  Examples of infractions are:

• speeding

• automobile equipment needing repair, and

• expired licenses

A law enforcement officer can give you a ticket (citation) for a traffic infraction. You may have to pay a fine, but you won’t go to jail or prison because of a traffic infraction.

IMPORTANT: You cannot pay your fine or take care of your citation until it is in the Court's computer! Look up your case on the Public Access Case Info website to see whether your case has been processed - if not, please check back later.

There are other, more serious automobile related violations, like reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and vehicular manslaughter. These can be misdemeanors or felonies and are heard in the Criminal Courts. You may have to go to jail or prison if you are convicted.

For more information, see the Criminal section of the website. The Criminal section of this website also explains how to get copies of traffic accident police reports.

The flowchart below shows how a traffic case is processed. It starts with the original citation and goes through dismissal or sentencing: