Traffic Division - Infraction Cases

Clearing A Ticket

If the citation doesn’t require a mandatory appearance in Court you may follow the instructions on the Court’s Courtesy Notice to clear a citation. Options generally available to all citations are as follows:

1) Pay (forfeit) the bail amount. This will close the citation and report the conviction to your driver’s license record.

2) Submit the signed "Certificate of Correction" with appropriate fee to the Court. Any police officer may sign-off most correctable violations. Violations of 16028 VC (automobile liability insurance) will only be dismissed upon: (1) showing or mailing evidence of financial responsibility (to the Court) which was valid at the time this notice to appear was issued, and (2) payment of a transaction fee.  The California Department of Motor Vehicles may sign-off vehicle registration and driver license violations.

3) Sign-up with the Court and attend Traffic Violator School (TVS), if eligible. Court approved classrooms, home study, and online internet classes are available throughout California. Attending TVS will dismiss your citation. NOTE: If you are eligible and decide not to attend Traffic Violator School, your automobile insurance may be adversely affected. See below for further information regarding Traffic Violator School.

4) Request a Court trial.  Please refer to the section below entitled "To contest Your Citation" for more information.

Traffic Court

Most citations are cleared with the Court without appearing before the Judge. Walk-In Court is Traffic Court’s arraignment process. Individuals who have a citation that requires a mandatory appearance, who are requesting a trial date, or do not meet Traffic Violator School eligibility requirements and are requesting Traffic Violator School, must appear in Walk-In Court. You must also appear in Traffic Court if you wish to contest your citation or if your Courtesy Notice indicates a mandatory appearance is required.

Generally when the officer issues a citation to appear in Traffic Court the violation is an infraction and the citation will include an appearance date. You must clear your citation with the Court on or before this date, or any Court issued extension of this date. The court will mail a Courtesy Notice to you at the address on the citation. The Courtesy Notice will explain how to clear the citation with the Court (See Clearing A Ticket). If you do not receive a Courtesy Notice within 6 weeks of receiving your citation contact the Traffic Division immediately at 521-6680.

If you are unable to clear your citation before the due date, you can receive an extension for most citations. You can receive an extensions by visiting the Court’s website at sonomasuperiorcourt.com and clicking on the “Pay Online” link.  You may also obtain an extension by calling 521-6680 between 8:00 AM and 12:00 Noon – Monday through Friday.  Failure to clear your citation, or appear by the due date, will result in the addition of a civil assessment late fee of up to $300.  All signed citations will be assigned to collections for processing. If your citation goes to collections, you must call Court Collections at (707)521-6659 to clear your citation. If your citation is in collections, Traffic Court staff cannot assist you.  Go to Court Collections Division page

Walk-In Traffic Court is held Monday through Friday.  You must arrive and check in at the Traffic Division, 600 Administration Drive, Room 109-J at 8:00 AM the day you wish to appear in Court, on or before the due date indicated on your citation. A limited number of cases are heard each day and are on a first come first served basis. Court begins at 8:30 AM. Walk-In Court can not be prescheduled. Shorts and tank tops are not appropriate attire for the courtroom.

Traffic School

You may attend Traffic Violator School (TVS) if you meet the following guidelines:

1) You have not attended TVS in the last 18 months and 1 day since date of last violation
2) You have a valid California Driver License (Non-Commercial)
3) Your speeding violation is not more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit
4) Your violation did not occur in a commercial vehicle

The Courtesy Notice identifies the fees that must be paid to the Court before you may sign-up for TVS. These fees are the Bail Amount (varies by violation) and a State/Court Administrative fee of $58. An additional fee, usually $25 - $35 will be charged by the TVS provider when you enroll in their class. You may send check or money order for the total amount due plus the $58 Administrative Fee.  TVS forms will be mailed to you. ALL TVS FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. If you are eligible, and decide not to attend Traffic School, your automobile insurance may be adversely affected.

If you fail to complete Traffic School, or fail to return your Certificate of Completion to the Court by the due date, your bail will be forfeited, and your case will be closed and reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles as a conviction.

Return TVS Certificate Of Completion To:
SUPERIOR COURT TRAFFIC DIVISION
600 ADMINISTRATION DRIVE ROOM 109-J
SANTA ROSA, CA 95403-2878

»Sign up & pay for Traffic School on the web   

To Contest Your Citation

If you wish to contest your citation, you may plead NOT GUILTY by using one of the following methods:

1. Post the amount of bail stated on your courtesy notice with the Declaration of Intent to Plead NOT Guilty and Request a Trial Date with the Court before the citation due date.  You will be notified by the Court of a Court Trial date with the officer present.
Please note that bail may not be posted over the Internet or through the Court’s IVR phone system.
2. Request a written Trial by Declaration by posting the bail amount stated on your courtesy notice with the Request for Trial by Written Declaration (TR-205).  Please read the instructions before filling out the form and filing it with the Court.  The bail and the declaration must be submitted before the due date listed on your courtesy notice.
Please note that bail may not be posted over the Internet or through the Court’s IVR phone system.  
3. Request a Court Trial by appearing in Walk-in Court.

Payment Options

For Payment on the Web (Credit Card, E-Check), click here.
For Payment by Phone Information (Credit Card, E-Check) click here.
For Western Union Payment Information, click here. 

Payment by Mail Information:  DO NOT MAIL CASH TO THE COURT.
You may pay your traffic citation by mailing a check or money order to the address listed below. Partial payments are not accepted. To clear a correctable violation, submit the signed-off "Certificate of Correction" and the correction fee. Please write your citation number on your check or money order and include your Courtesy Notice with your payment. Paying your citation is considered a forfeiture of bail and will close your case. A bail forfeiture is the same as a conviction and will report to your driver license record. If you are eligible and wish to attend Traffic Violator School (TVS), please read Traffic School section regarding sign-up prior to mailing of payment. If you are eligible for Traffic School and choose not to attend, your automobile insurance may be adversely affected. Using the pre-addressed Courtesy Notice return envelope will expedite the processing of your payment. Mail payments to:

SUPERIOR COURT TRAFFIC DIVISION
600 ADMINISTRATION DRIVE ROOM 109-J
SANTA ROSA, CA 95403-2878

Failure to Respond to Citation