A notice will be sent to the
address listed on your ticket. The notice will state the amount you owe, whether
or not a court appearance is required and the date by which you must take care
of your ticket. If you received a ticket for a mechanical violation you may be
able to pay a reduced amount if the mechanical problem is fixed. The notice will
show a reduced amount if that applies. If there is a reduced amount you must send
a check or money order for that amount along with proof that you have corrected
the problem. Proof is provided by having a police officer sign the back of your
ticket.
The Court has an interactive
voice response telephone system that provides specific information on your ticket.
By calling the telephone number listed on your ticket using a touch tone telephone,
you may obtain information on how much you owe and whether or not you can attend
traffic school. Telephone numbers: Southern Branch area: (650) 363-4300; Northern
Branch area: (650) 877-5333; or Central Branch area: (650) 573-2622.
You have been given a date
on your ticket to appear and, by signing the ticket, you have given your promise
to appear. Most tickets can be taken care of without appearing simply by paying
amount due or before the appearance date on your ticket. If you fail to pay
the ticket or appear in court, additional charges of failure to appear will
be added and the amount owed will be increased. A civil assessment may also
be added to the amount due for your failure to appear. The Department of Motor
Vehicles will be advised of your failure to appear and a hold will placed on
your driver's license, and your ticket will be referred for civil collection.
If you mail in the amount
owed for your ticket, the court will accept only a first party check or money
order. Do not mail cash for the payment of any ticket. If you pay the ticket
in person we do accept credit card payments.
