Chico Traffic Ticket Records

Chico traffic tickets are processed by the Butte County Superior Court. As the largest city in Butte County with about 103,000 residents, Chico generates many traffic citations each year. All tickets issued by Chico PD, CHP, or county sheriff in city limits go to the county court. You can search for traffic tickets and pay fines through Butte County court systems. Respond to your ticket on time to avoid late fees and driver license problems. The court offers online and in-person options for handling your case without hiring a lawyer.

Butte County Traffic Court for Chico

All traffic tickets in Chico go to the Butte County Superior Court. The court has a traffic division that handles citations and infractions from across the county. The main courthouse is in Oroville, but Chico also has a branch location. Check your citation to see which courthouse handles your case. You can pay fines, request traffic school, or appear for court at either location depending on your ticket assignment.

Butte County court information is at butte.courts.ca.gov. The site has details on traffic court procedures, locations, and hours. Check your courtesy notice for specific instructions on where to go and how to handle your Chico traffic ticket. The court website lists phone numbers and addresses for both court locations in the county.

The main courthouse is in Oroville, about 25 miles south of Chico. If your ticket is assigned to the Chico branch, that courthouse is more convenient. Parking is available at both locations. Bring your photo ID and citation when you visit. Security screens all visitors at the entrance. The traffic clerk window can help you with payments, traffic school requests, or trial information for your Chico traffic ticket.

Find Your Chico Traffic Ticket

Check your courtesy notice for info on how to search for your Chico traffic ticket online. Butte County may have online case lookup or require you to call the court. The statewide portal at mycitations.courts.ca.gov works for many California counties once tickets are loaded. Use your citation number to search. The system shows your charge, due date, and fine amount.

If your ticket is very new, wait a week or two for it to enter the system. Most citations appear within 10 business days after the officer writes the ticket. If you cannot find your ticket online, call the court. Staff can search by your name and date of birth. Keep your citation number handy for all inquiries about your Chico traffic ticket.

To search for your Chico traffic ticket, you need:

• Citation number from your ticket
• Your last name as spelled on the citation
• Date of birth for phone inquiries

Pay Your Chico Traffic Ticket

You can pay your Chico traffic ticket online, by mail, or in person. Check your courtesy notice for online payment options. Butte County may offer online payment through the court website or third-party portals. If online payment is available, you can use credit cards, debit cards, or e-checks. The system is open 24 hours a day.

To pay by mail, send a check or money order to the address on your courtesy notice. Write your citation number on the payment. Do not send cash. Your payment must arrive before the due date to avoid late fees. Mail takes time, so send it early. If you want proof of payment, use certified mail with tracking.

In-person payment is accepted at Butte County courthouses. Bring your citation and payment. The clerk takes cash, checks, money orders, and cards. You get a receipt on the spot. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about a payment plan. The court may set up monthly payments if you qualify. Request a plan before your due date to avoid penalties on your Chico traffic ticket.

Note: Paying the fine is the same as admitting guilt and the conviction goes on your DMV record.

Traffic School for Chico Tickets

Traffic school can keep your ticket off your insurance record. The conviction still goes on your DMV record, but insurers cannot see it. This helps avoid rate increases. You must meet certain rules to qualify. You need a valid driver license. The ticket must be for one point. You cannot have attended traffic school in the last 18 months. Speeding over 100 mph does not qualify. Commercial drivers cannot use traffic school for tickets in a commercial vehicle.

Request traffic school before your court date or by the deadline on your courtesy notice. You can request it in person at the clerk window or through available online systems. Once approved, you pay the full fine plus a traffic school fee. The court gives you a deadline to finish the course. Most people do an online course that takes about eight hours. You can work at your own pace and take the test when ready.

After you finish the course, the school sends proof to the court. Make sure this happens before the deadline. If you miss it, your Chico ticket goes on your insurance record anyway. The DMV keeps the ticket on file for three years. Insurance will not see it if you complete traffic school on time. You can only use traffic school once every 18 months in California.

Contest a Chico Traffic Ticket

You can contest any traffic ticket by pleading not guilty. You have two trial options. One is an in-person trial where you appear before a judge. The other is a trial by written declaration where you submit your case on paper and the officer does the same. The judge reads both sides and makes a decision without a hearing. Many people choose the written option to save time and avoid taking off work.

To contest your Chico ticket, check the not guilty box on your citation and mail it back. Or submit your plea in person at the clerk window. The court will set a trial date for in-person hearings or send instructions for a written trial. For a written trial, fill out form TR-205 and submit it with bail. Bail is the full fine amount. If you win, the court refunds it. If you lose, it pays the fine. The form is at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov.

If you lose a written trial, you can ask for a new trial in person. This is called a trial de novo. It is a fresh start. The judge does not know about the first trial. You present your case again. If you lose the second trial, you have 30 days to file an appeal. Appeals are complex and usually need a lawyer. For most Chico tickets, the written trial is a good first step to fight without hiring help.

California law allows written trials under Vehicle Code § 40902. The statewide portal at mycitations.courts.ca.gov may support written trials for Butte County. The site guides you through the process and lets you upload your statement and evidence like photos or documents.

Traffic Tickets and Your Driving Record

Every traffic conviction in California goes on your driver record at the DMV. This record is public. Insurance companies see it when they check your driving history. Points from tickets can raise your rates or cancel your policy. Too many points can suspend your license. A one-point ticket stays on your record for three years. A two-point violation stays for seven years. DUI stays for ten years.

You can get a copy of your driver record from the DMV. The online version costs $2. Go to dmv.ca.gov to order it. You can print it right away. This record shows all your tickets, accidents, and license actions. If you see a mistake, contact the DMV to fix it. You may need proof from the court if a Chico ticket should have been dismissed.

Insurance companies check your record when you renew or apply. One ticket may not hurt much. Multiple tickets in a short time will raise your rates. Traffic school can hide one ticket every 18 months from insurance. The DMV still sees the ticket and counts the point toward suspension, but insurance cannot access that specific conviction. This helps keep rates down.

Under Vehicle Code § 1808, your driver record is public. Employers and others can request it. The DMV charges $5 for mail requests or $2 online. All reportable violations appear for the retention period set by law.

Butte County Traffic Ticket Records

Chico is the largest city in Butte County. All traffic tickets from Chico go through the county superior court. The court processes citations from cities and unincorporated areas across the county. For complete information on court locations, traffic division hours, fees, and payment options, visit the Butte County traffic ticket records page.

View Butte County Traffic Records