Ticket procedure

[WokMaster1]

Wife got busted for rolling stop. Officer gave her a notice to appear on 6/1/11 at 0930. Violation was an infraction (circled on tix) 22450@VC (can't read writing @VC).

The bottom of the tix says to appear in court on or before 6/1/11 to
1. pay the fine (bail)
2. appear in court
3. contest the violation
4. correct the violation
5. request traffic school (traffic cases, when applicable)
6. request trial by declaration 9traffic cases)

What should she expect?
1. A letter in the mail with the fine $$ (how much?)that she can pay off & go to traffic school?

2. how early can she show up in court if she just have to pay the ticket?
3. Is traffic school necessary?

Thanks. This is in Contra Costa county, if that helps with specifics. Court is in Richmond. She's has never had a ticket.

[Danz la Nuit]

Did she admit guilt to the officer?

[gorn5150]

Don't count on a letter from the court with a bail ammount. Most of the time they are sent out but sometimes they don't. If she just wants to pay the fine then she can do that a week or so after the citation was issued. By that time it should be in the courts system.

Traffic school is not necessary, it used to keep a the point off your DMV record but I don't think that is the case anymore.

[WokMaster1]

Did she admit guilt to the officer?

The signature part states that signing does not mean guilty or something along that line.

[WokMaster1]

Don't count on a letter from the court with a bail ammount. Most of the time they are sent out but sometimes they don't. If she just wants to pay the fine then she can do that a week or so after the citation was issued. By that time it should be in the courts system.

Traffic school is not necessary, it used to keep a the point off your DMV record but I don't think that is the case anymore.

Thanks. Just curious how much it would cost me?

[Falconis]

What does she want to do?

If she just wants to get it over with, then pay the fine about a week or 2 later. Like the above poster stated, should be enough time to get the ticket in the system.

If she wants the point off her record, go to traffic school. The 8 or so hours may be worth it not to get the point for insurance purposes. She has to appear in court.

If she wants to fight it, she has to appear in court.

If she wants the fine reduced, she has to appear in court and plead her case. Fine is going to be anywhere from 375 to 550ish last i remember.

[Jonathan Doe]

What should she expect?

1. A letter in the mail with the fine $$ (how much?)that she can pay off & go to traffic school?

When she signed the ticket, it is the promise to appear. Too many people wait for the letter from the court, and become "failure to appear". The court does not have to send you the letter. It is the driver's responsibility to take care of it.

2. how early can she show up in court if she just have to pay the ticket?

Give the court a few weeks. Maybe a month?

3. Is traffic school necessary?

You don't have to go to traffic school, but it reduces the point and be easy on the insurance premium. Not everyone goes to the traffic school.

Answers in blue bold is what I observed at court lately as I work there one day a week.

These days, the court never reduces the fine. They just give you an extention to pay, or you do a community service. Or just pay for the ticket and forget about it. That is how I see it these days.

[WokMaster1]

Thanks gents. I'll ask her if she wants to wash cop cars or pick litter on the side of the freeway......

[ralemzor]

If she wants to contest the ticket she could also do a trial by written declaration and you don't need to show up in court. You just send in your statement and the judge will review it and rule. The nice thing about this is you can then request a trial de novo if you are not happy with the judges first decision and get a second chance to contest it in court I always do this when I get traffic tickets.

[Danz la Nuit]

The signature part states that signing does not mean guilty or something along that line.

I didn't say anything about signing the ticket, you always have to sign the ticket, I asked if she admitted guilt for the ticketed offense (when speaking with the officer during the stop)

[WokMaster1]

I didn't say anything about signing the ticket, you always have to sign the ticket, I asked if she admitted guilt for the ticketed offense (when speaking with the officer during the stop)

No, she didn't. Sorry about that

She was not amused about my wash cop cars comment.

[Falconis]

Damn, guess I'll pull my number then ....

[Steveo8]

If she wants to contest the ticket she could also do a trial by written declaration and you don't need to show up in court. You just send in your statement and the judge will review it and rule. The nice thing about this is you can then request a trial de novo if you are not happy with the judges first decision and get a second chance to contest it in court I always do this when I get traffic tickets.

Another thing when doing this your wife would have to call the court, enter a not guilty plea and pay the bail amount in FULL.

[22348b cvc]

Base fine for 22450a vc is around $230 if you request traffic school it will add about $52. These are approximate fines from Alameda Co. and should be very close to Contra Costa. All the fines are based on the Uniform Traffic Bail Schedule and only can vary by small amounts.

[Falconis]

There are added court costs.