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

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Traffic Court

There are 5 kinds of hearings for traffic cases:

1. Arraignment
2. Trial
3. Motion to Set Aside Bail Forfeiture
4. Traffic School Hearing
5. Request by Defendant Hearing
   

1. Arraignment
   
   This is the first hearing after you get your citation (ticket). At this hearing, the Commissioner will:
• tell you what the charges are
• tell you about your rights
• ask you if you want to plead "guilty, not guilty, or no contest."
   
2. Trial
   
   The trial is when a Judge or Commissioner hears what both parties say about an action. The Judge or Commissioner will determine the facts of the case and apply the law to the facts stated in trial.
   
   If your case is an infraction you can have a "Court Trial" (a trial that is heard and decided by a Judge or Commissioner).
   
   You can have a "Jury Trial" if you have been charged with a misdemeanor.
   
    
3. Motion to Set Aside Bail Forfeiture
   
   If you lose your bail deposit (Bail Bond or Cash Bail) because you failed to appear in court, you can ask for a hearing to get the bail money back.
   
   You can ask for this hearing in person or in writing. You must ask for it within 180 days after your bail has been forfeited.
   
   The clerk will ask you to pay a filing fee to file your motion. (See Fees page at main court website.)
   
    
4. Traffic School Hearing
   
   Your courtesy notice will say if you are eligible for Traffic School. You can register for Traffic School in person, by mail, by phone or online.
   
   Click here to learn how to register for traffic school.
   
   You may want to ask for a Traffic School hearing if:
    
   • Your courtesy notice does not say you are eligible for Traffic School. You can ask for Traffic School at this hearing.
   • You need an extension to complete or sign up for Traffic School and the clerk cannot help you because you are past the deadline. You can make your request to the Commissioner.

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5. Request by Defendant Hearing
   
   This hearing is for any kind of request that the clerk’s office cannot help you with. For example, to:
    
   • convert fine payments to volunteer service
   • ask for more time to pay a fine