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Traffic
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Traffic Court
Paying Fines (Bail Forfeiture) [Esta página está en español;
Trang này bằng tiếng Việt]
Click on a topic to learn
about:
-
How can I pay my fine?
-
Where do I pay my fine or
bail?
-
Can I make monthly payments?
-
Credit card payments
-
Who decides what the fine or
bail will be for my case?
- How can I pay my fine?

To pay your fine, your
citation must have been processed by the Court. If you don't have a
courtesy
notice yet, check the
citation processing status online.The Court is currently in the process of implementing a new
case management system in the Traffic Division and anticipates e-payments
(paying
fines online) in
the near future. Until then you may choose from the options described below
(in person, by mail, or by credit card) to pay
your
fine (also known as forfeiting
bail).
The Court accepts:
- personal checks
- money orders
- cashier’s checks
- credit cards, and
- cash.
Do not send cash through the mail. If you pay by credit card, we will
charge an additional fee (see credit card payment).
More information on payment methods accepted by the Court can be found on the
methods of payment page at the Court's main website.
- Where do I pay my fine or bail?
You can pay in person or by mail.
To pay in person, go to any courthouse that handles traffic matters. It
does not matter where your
citation was issued.
You can go to:
- Palo Alto Courthouse
- Traffic Courthouse, or
- South County Courthouse
Click here to see
Traffic Court locations and hours.
To pay by mail, send your fine/bail to the courthouse listed on your
courtesy
notice. top of page
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- Can I make monthly payments?
The Court does not impose payments. However, the Court can extend your
full payment to a future date. There is an administrative Court fee to
extend your payment. Click to see
Traffic & Criminal Misc. Fees on the Court's main site, and look for
the Traffic Payment extension fee.
- Credit card payments
You can also pay most fines/bails by credit card. There is an extra cost
of $12.95 to pay by credit card, charged by the credit card service used
by the Court.
There are 2 ways to pay by credit card:
- If eligible, you can pay using the Court's interactive telephone
system. You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use Visa or Master
Card.
Traffic Court: (408) 556-3000, then press 5, then press 0
Palo Alto Courthouse: (650) 470-3900
South County Courthouse: (408) 695-5000, then press 4, then press 0
- You can also pay in person at any Traffic Court location. Use Visa,
Discover or American Express. (See the
Traffic Court Locations page at
this site for hours).
- Who decides what the fine or bail will be for my
case?
The California legislature decides what the minimum and maximum
fine will be for every
violation of state law. There are also local laws that say what the
fines will be for violations of local law. The State and County
of Santa Clara add an "assessment" to the established fines.
The California Judicial Council publishes a Uniform
Bail Schedule that says what the bail will be for all traffic
code infractions.
If you want, you can pay the bail listed on your courtesy notice instead of going to
court. (The
local bail schedule and
state bail schedule are available online).
If your
case is a
misdemeanor or
felony, the Santa Clara County Superior Court will decide on the bail. The
Judicial Council recommends an increase in bail for each prior conviction.
There is a maximum amount allowed by law.
When you go to court, the Commissioner can fine you any amount between the minimum and maximum fines. The
Commissioner will decide based on the facts of your case and your driving record.
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