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Traffic/Minor
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Please note that clerks are prohibited by law from
giving you legal advice about your case. If you have received
a ticket for a traffic violation or other minor offense (infractions),
you may find the following general information helpful:
About Traffic Infractions and Misdemeanors: There are three levels of severity of traffic violations: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Most traffic violations are infractions, but some, like vehicular manslaughter, are felonies. Infractions are not punishable by jail or prison and are not subject to trial by jury; the punishment is a fine. The more common traffic infractions include speeding and running a red light or stop sign. Total penalties for infractions can be as much as $200 or more. Misdemeanors, such as driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, can carry penalties of as much as $2,000 or more and/or confinement in a city or county jail. The maximum penalty allowed in California for a misdemeanor is one year in county jail and/or a fine. Felonies are punishable by fines and/or confinement in county jail or state prison.
How to Pay Your Traffic Ticket: If you received a traffic citation and were given a mailer by the officer, you must contact the court for bail information by calling the number on the mailer. When you call, you will receive information about the bail amount and how to take care of your citation. Please wait 10 working days for your citation to be processed with the court before calling. If you did not receive a mailer, a courtesy notice may be mailed to you at the address on your citation. The courtesy notice tells you how to take care of your citation. You must contact the court if: you have not received a courtesy notice within three weeks of receiving your citation, you have changed your address, or the address on the citation is incorrect. You may pay the bail amount by mail, use the court's phone-in credit card payment system or you may pay your traffic ticket online. If you pay by mail, please send a check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Court" for the full amount due. NOTICE: If you fail to appear or pay the full bail by the due date, a warrant for your arrest could be issued, you could be subject to increased penalties of at least $230.00, and the court may pursue collection through the Franchise Tax Board, the State Board of Equalization, and collection agencies. In addition, your driver’s license may be suspended through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Online: Automated Telephone Information:
Your credit card will be charged a convenience fee for the use of this system.Types of information provided by the automated system are:
In the event that the Web and phone payment systems are down for maintenance:
PLEASE NOTE: Parking citations are processed by local law enforcement agencies. Please direct inquiries and payments to the Santa Barbara Police Department or the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department. Please check your citation for contact information.
Fine payment
drop box for after hours payments: If you wish to pay a parking ticket, you may do so on the City of Santa
Barbara website here: https://myonlinebill.santabarbaraca.gov/sbpd/ Clearing Correctable Citations: Proof of correction can be obtained by having an authorized representative of a law enforcement agency fill out the Certificate of Correction located on the reverse side of your citation. A Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) clerk may certify registration and/or driver's license violations. All registration violations must be corrected and proof submitted to the court. Your courtesy notice will contain the correct amount of money you must pay along with your proof of corrections. Contact the court for information regarding the correct fine amount for insurance violations. The proof for insurance violations must be provided directly to the court.
Extensions on Traffic Citations: The clerks are authorized to grant one 30-day extension on most traffic citations. For extensions beyond the authorized 30 days, you must appear in court and speak with the Commissioner. You may now pay your traffic ticket online.
Juvenile Misdemeanor Traffic Citations: If your citation was marked "to be notified," you will receive a Notice to Appear giving you a court date and time to appear. A parent or guardian will be required to appear with you. If you do not receive the notice within 60 days from the date the citation was issued, contact the court.If the Court has suspended your license, you may request a restricted license. Review the Restricted License instructions, complete the Restricted License form, and return it to Court. You will be notified of the Commissioner’s decision.
Traffic Court Appearance and Trial Information:
Traffic Warrants and DMV Holds: To clear a traffic warrant or release a DMV hold, you may pay cash, money order, cashier's check or credit card (Visa or MasterCard only). No checks are accepted. Contact the clerk's office to verify the amount due and request a release abstract for DMV.
Traffic School Information: Eligibility:
Certificates: NOTE: Per Rule 851(c)(2) a judicial officer may order the completion of a 12-hour Traffic School program if a violation occurs within 18 months of a previous violation. Requests to attend a 12-hour program require a mandatory appearance before a judge (no exceptions). The dismissal for completion of traffic school under this rule is not confidential.
Installment Bail Information: If you are requesting to make payments without appearing in court, you must meet the following requirements:
Owner's Responsibility: If your citation is past due, a hold has been placed on the vehicle's registration at DMV. Failure to clear this citation could result in your inability to register your vehicle. If you have corrected the violations, you may appear in Court or write
a letter.
Traffic
Appeals:
For additional information, please visit:
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