Fresno Traffic Violations

Traffic citations issued in Fresno are handled through Fresno County Superior Court. The court manages all traffic violations for drivers who receive tickets within city limits. Officers from the Fresno Police Department and California Highway Patrol issue most citations in the area. You can search for your ticket online, pay fines through the court portal, or request traffic school if you qualify. The court processes thousands of traffic cases each year from Fresno and other areas in the county. Fresno drivers need to respond to citations by the due date to avoid added fees and penalties.

Fresno County Court Traffic Cases

The Fresno County Superior Court handles all traffic citations for violations that occur in Fresno. When an officer gives you a ticket, that citation gets filed with the court system. The court then sends you a courtesy notice in the mail. This notice tells you how much you owe and when you need to respond. Most notices arrive within 30 days of the ticket date. You can check your case status online before the notice comes.

All traffic violations in Fresno go through Fresno County Superior Court. The court operates a traffic division that manages infractions and misdemeanors. Staff can help with questions about your case. You can call them at (559) 457-1700 during business hours. The main courthouse is in downtown Fresno, but the court also has other branch locations that handle traffic matters for different parts of the county.

Visit the Fresno Superior Court traffic division website at fresno.courts.ca.gov to learn about court procedures and your options. The site has forms, fee schedules, and detailed information about how to handle your citation. You can find out if you qualify for traffic school, how to request a trial, or what payment methods the court accepts.

Traffic school in Fresno County costs $74 as an administrative fee. This fee is separate from the fine you pay for the violation. If the judge approves traffic school, you take an approved course online or in a classroom. After you finish, the school sends proof to the court. The point stays on your record but gets hidden from insurance companies. Not all tickets qualify for traffic school, so check your eligibility before signing up.

Look Up Fresno Citations Online

Fresno County provides online access to traffic case information. You can search by citation number to find details about your ticket. The system shows the amount due, the deadline, and available options. Some cases let you pay right away through the portal. Others require different steps like submitting proof of correction or attending court.

The court uses an online portal for case access and payments. You need your citation number to log in. That number appears on the ticket the officer gave you. If you lost your ticket, call the court and ask for help finding your case. They can look it up by your name and date of birth, then give you the citation number over the phone so you can use the online system.

Wait about two weeks after you get your ticket before searching online. The court needs time to enter the citation into the database. If you search too soon, the system might not find your case yet. After the court processes it, you will see all the information about your violation and what you need to do next.

Payment options through the Fresno County court include credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. The court charges a convenience fee for online payments. You can also pay by mail with a check or money order. Send payment to the address on your courtesy notice. Include the citation number on your check so the court can apply it to the right case. In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse during business hours.

Some tickets are fix-it violations. These citations require you to fix a problem with your vehicle, like a broken taillight or expired registration. Once you fix it, get a signature from an authorized person like a police officer or DMV clerk. Then submit the signed proof to the court along with a small fee. The court will dismiss the violation if you provide valid proof within the time allowed.

Contest Your Ticket

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

For an in-person trial, you appear before a judge on your scheduled court date. You can present evidence and witnesses. The officer who wrote the ticket usually appears as well. The judge hears both sides and decides if you are guilty or not guilty. If found guilty, you pay the fine. If found not guilty, the case gets dismissed and you owe nothing.

Many drivers hire a traffic attorney to help with their case. Attorneys know the law and court procedures. They can sometimes get tickets reduced or dismissed. You do not have to hire a lawyer, but it can help if the violation is serious or if you have multiple tickets on your record already. The court does not provide free attorneys for traffic infractions.

What Happens If You Ignore a Ticket

Failing to respond to a Fresno traffic ticket leads to serious problems. The court adds a civil assessment of up to $100 as a late fee. Your driver license can be suspended. The court may also charge you with failure to appear, which is a misdemeanor. That adds more fines and could even result in a warrant for your arrest.

Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. If you get caught driving on a suspended license, you face additional criminal charges. Insurance rates go up significantly. Some employers check driving records, so a suspended license could affect your job if you drive for work.

If you cannot pay the full fine by the due date, contact the court right away. Fresno County offers payment plans for people who need more time. You can also request a fine reduction based on your financial situation. The court will work with you if you communicate before the deadline passes. Ignoring the ticket only makes things worse and more expensive.

California also participates in interstate agreements about driver licenses. If you have an out-of-state license and ignore a California ticket, your home state might suspend your license too. The problem does not go away just because you live somewhere else. Dealing with the ticket promptly is always the best choice, no matter where you are from or where you currently live.

Fresno Traffic Resources

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

Several traffic schools serve Fresno drivers. The court maintains a list of approved schools on their website. You must choose one from the approved list or the court will not accept your completion certificate. Schools offer online classes and in-person classes. Prices vary by school. Shop around to find the best option for your schedule and budget.

If you need help understanding court forms or procedures, the court clerk can assist you. Clerks work at the courthouse and can answer basic questions. They cannot tell you what to write on forms or give legal advice. For that type of help, consult with a lawyer or visit the law library for self-help resources.

The California DMV also plays a role in traffic violations. Points from tickets go on your DMV driving record. Too many points can lead to license suspension. You can request a copy of your driving record from the DMV to see what points you have. This helps you understand where you stand and whether you are at risk of losing your license if you get another ticket.

Cities Near Fresno

Traffic violations in nearby cities also go through Fresno County court. If you got a ticket in Clovis, Selma, or another city in the county, you follow the same court process. The court system is the same for the whole county.

For other California cities with their own pages, see Sacramento, Stockton, and Bakersfield. Each city page has information specific to that location and the county court that handles tickets there.