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Six Ways to Resolve a California Traffic Ticket - Ticket Crushers · BSPE Legal Marketing Podcast

• 0:00
  Six Ways to Resolve a California Traffic Ticket A California traffic ticket can feel overwhelming, but drivers actually have several well-defined paths to resolve a citation without simply paying and moving on.
• 0:11
  The right approach depends on the specific violation, the available evidence, the driver's record, and the procedures of the court handling the case.
• 0:19
  Choosing the right path early can help drivers avoid missed deadlines, unnecessary DMV points, and consequences that affect insurance rates for years.
• 0:28
  When a citation is issued, it identifies the alleged violation, the court handling the case, and the date by which the driver must respond.
• 0:35
  Some counties send a courtesy notice with additional details about available options, but drivers should never wait for one before taking action on their deadline.
• 0:43
  If no courtesy notice has arrived by the response date printed on the citation, drivers should check the court's online case system or contact the court directly.
• 0:52
  California law provides six common ways to resolve a traffic ticket, and understanding each one helps drivers make informed decisions before time runs out.
• 1:00
  Hiring a lawyer allows counsel to evaluate all available responses, handle permitted filings, and appear on the driver's behalf for eligible infractions, reducing the burden significantly.
• 1:11
  Requesting a court trial means pleading not guilty and contesting the charge in person, where the driver can present testimony, photographs, documents, and other admissible evidence.
• 1:21
  The citing officer is typically subpoenaed to appear at trial, and if the charge is dismissed or the driver is found not guilty, no DMV point is assessed.
• 1:29
  A trial by written declaration allows an eligible driver to contest a traffic infraction entirely in writing under California Vehicle Code section 40902, without attending the initial trial.
• 1:41
  Paying or forfeiting bail accepts a conviction without contesting the charge, and a DMV point is assessed only if the offense is one that carries one under California law.
• 1:50
  Eligible drivers who need more time to pay can request a court-approved installment plan, which carries the same DMV effect as paying the full amount in a single payment.
• 1:59
  Drivers who genuinely cannot afford the full fine can ask the court for ability-to-pay relief, a reduction, an extension, additional installments, or community service in lieu of payment.
• 2:10
  California assigns two points to certain serious convictions, one point to many other moving violations, and no points to specified offenses, making the choice of resolution strategy consequential.
• 2:21
  For eligible drivers, completing traffic school can keep a qualifying conviction confidential and prevent a violation point from being assessed on the record, subject to statutory exceptions.
• 2:31
  Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation, represents drivers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, the Sacramento area, and Southern California in traffic court proceedings of all kinds.
• 2:42
  The law firm handles speeding tickets, red-light violations, and other moving and nonmoving offenses, helping every driver evaluate the best resolution based on their specific charge and court.
• 2:52
  Contact Ticket Crushers, A Law Corporation, located at 350 Rhode Island St #240, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States, by calling 628, 203, 1868 to discuss your citation and schedule your consultation with an attorney today.