Bakersfield Traffic Citations

Traffic tickets issued in Bakersfield are processed by Kern County Superior Court. As the largest city in Kern County, Bakersfield generates a significant portion of the county's traffic cases. When you receive a citation within city limits, the officer files it with the county court system. You can search for your ticket online, pay fines through various methods, or request traffic school if eligible. Bakersfield Police Department handles most local traffic enforcement, while California Highway Patrol patrols state highways and freeways passing through the area. All citations go through the same Kern County court regardless of which agency issued the ticket.

Kern County Traffic Court Process

All Bakersfield traffic violations go through Kern County Superior Court. The court operates a traffic division that handles thousands of cases each year from Bakersfield and other parts of the county. When an officer gives you a ticket, the citation gets filed with the court within a few days.

The Kern County Superior Court traffic division can be reached at (661) 610-7000. The main traffic courthouse is located at 3131 Arrow Street in Bakersfield. This location handles most Bakersfield traffic cases. The court also offers night court sessions at 5:00 PM for people who cannot come during regular business hours. Night court is convenient for workers who have daytime jobs.

You can find detailed information about Kern County traffic court at kern.courts.ca.gov traffic court. The website has forms, fee schedules, courthouse locations, and instructions for handling your citation. You can learn about your options, including payment, traffic school, and trial procedures.

The court sends a courtesy notice by mail after the officer files your ticket. This notice shows the fine amount and your deadline to respond. It usually arrives within three to four weeks of the violation date. You do not have to wait for this notice to handle your ticket. You can contact the court or search for your case online as soon as you get the citation from the officer.

Find and Pay Your Bakersfield Ticket

Kern County provides ways to search for your traffic citation. You need your citation number to look up your case. The number is printed on the ticket the officer gave you. If you lost your ticket, call the court and ask them to find your case by name and date of birth. They can give you the citation number over the phone.

Payment options for Bakersfield traffic tickets include online, by mail, and in person. The court accepts credit cards and debit cards for online payments. A convenience fee applies to online transactions. You can also mail a check or money order to the address on your courtesy notice. Write your citation number on the check so the court applies payment to the correct case.

In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse at 3131 Arrow Street. Bring your citation or courtesy notice with you. The clerk looks up your case and processes your payment. The courthouse is open during regular business hours. If you work during the day, night court sessions at 5:00 PM offer an alternative time to handle your ticket in person.

If you cannot pay the full fine by the due date, contact the court about a payment plan. Kern County offers installment plans for people who need more time. You must request this before your deadline passes. The court charges a fee to set up a payment plan, but it prevents license suspension and late penalties. Call the court to find out if you qualify and what steps to take.

Traffic School in Kern County

Kern County allows traffic school for eligible Bakersfield citations. Traffic school keeps the point off your public driving record. Insurance companies cannot see the point when they check your record. This prevents your rates from increasing. You still pay the full fine plus any administrative fees the court charges.

To request traffic school, check the box on your courtesy notice or ask when you pay your fine. The court will tell you if your ticket qualifies. Not all violations are eligible for traffic school. Serious violations like reckless driving or speeding over 100 mph do not qualify. If approved, the court gives you a deadline to complete the course.

Choose a state-approved traffic school from the list on the court website. Most schools offer online classes that you can take from home. The course takes several hours to complete. You must pass a final exam. After you finish, the school sends your completion certificate to Kern County court. The court updates your case to show you completed traffic school successfully.

California limits traffic school to once every 18 months. If you already used it for another ticket recently, you are not eligible yet. The court checks your history when you request traffic school. Commercial drivers with a CDL may have different rules and restrictions on traffic school eligibility.

Contest a Bakersfield Traffic Ticket

You can contest any traffic citation in Bakersfield. One option is trial by written declaration. You submit a written statement explaining why you are not guilty. The officer submits a report. A judge reads both and makes a decision. You do not go to court for this type of trial. If you lose, you can still request an in-person trial.

For an in-person trial, you appear before a judge at the Kern County courthouse. You can bring evidence and witnesses. The officer who issued the ticket usually appears as well. The judge hears both sides and decides if you are guilty or not guilty. If not guilty, the case is dismissed. If guilty, you pay the fine.

Many Bakersfield drivers hire traffic attorneys to help with their cases. Lawyers understand traffic laws and court procedures. They can sometimes negotiate reduced charges or get tickets dismissed. You are not required to hire a lawyer for traffic infractions, but it can help if you have multiple violations or if the ticket could seriously affect your driving record. Compare attorney fees to the cost of just paying the fine.

Before contesting your ticket, evaluate your evidence. Do you have photos, witnesses, or documentation that supports your case? Was there a valid reason for what happened? Did the officer make an error? If you have strong evidence, fighting the ticket may be worthwhile. If not, you could spend time and money and still lose. Courts do not reduce fines without legitimate reasons.

Missing Your Deadline

If you ignore a Bakersfield traffic ticket, the court adds penalties. A civil assessment of up to $100 gets added to your fine. The court suspends your driver license. Driving on a suspended license is a crime in California. You can be arrested if caught driving without a valid license.

The court may charge you with failure to appear. This is a misdemeanor that adds more fines and fees to your case. A warrant may be issued for your arrest. If you get pulled over, the officer will take you to jail on the warrant. You have to post bail to get released.

A suspended license affects your car insurance. Your insurance company will raise your premiums significantly or cancel your policy. Employers who check driving records may not hire you if the job requires driving. The suspension stays on your DMV record and can cause problems for years.

If you already missed your deadline, contact Kern County court immediately. They may be able to remove the hold on your license if you pay what you owe and any late fees. Some programs help people who cannot afford the full amount. Call the court and explain your situation. The sooner you address it, the less damage it causes to your record and finances.

Traffic Stops in Bakersfield

Bakersfield Police Department handles most traffic enforcement in the city. Officers patrol residential areas, business districts, and major streets. They stop drivers for speeding, running red lights, illegal turns, and other violations. When an officer issues a citation, it gets filed with Kern County Superior Court.

California Highway Patrol also works in Bakersfield, especially on Highway 99, Highway 58, and Interstate 5. CHP officers can stop you and issue tickets just like city police. CHP citations go through the same county court system. The process is identical regardless of which agency gave you the ticket.

Some Bakersfield tickets are correctable violations. These include issues like broken taillights, expired registration, or no proof of insurance. You must fix the problem, get a signature from an authorized person such as a police officer or AAA agent, and submit proof to the court. A fee of $25 applies, but the violation is dismissed if you provide valid proof before the deadline.

Bakersfield Traffic Resources

The Kern County Law Library is located at the courthouse. You can use their computers and books to research traffic laws. Staff can show you where to find information but cannot give legal advice. The library is free and open to the public during regular hours.

Several approved traffic schools serve Bakersfield drivers. Make sure you choose one from the court's approved list. The court will not accept completion certificates from unapproved schools. Schools offer online and in-person classes. Prices vary by school. Compare options to find one that fits your schedule and budget.

If you have questions about court procedures, the clerk at the courthouse can help. Clerks cannot give legal advice or tell you what to write on forms. For that help, consult a lawyer or use self-help resources at the law library. The clerk can answer basic questions about deadlines, fees, and where to submit documents.

The California DMV maintains your driving record. Points from traffic tickets appear on your DMV record. Too many points lead to license suspension. You can request a copy of your driving record from the DMV for a small fee. This helps you see what points you have and whether you are at risk of suspension if you get another ticket.

Other Kern County Cities

Traffic tickets in other Kern County cities go through the same court as Bakersfield. Delano, Ridgecrest, and Tehachapi all use Kern County Superior Court. The process is the same for the entire county.

For traffic information in other California cities, see Fresno, Sacramento, and Stockton. Each city page has details about the local court system and how to handle citations.