Traffic Tickets in Long Beach

Long Beach traffic citations are handled by Los Angeles County Superior Court. As California's seventh largest city, Long Beach sits in LA County and uses the county court system for all traffic violations. When you get a ticket in Long Beach, it goes to the LA Superior Court traffic division. You can search for your citation online, pay fines, or request traffic school through the county court portal. The Long Beach Police Department issues most tickets in the city, but California Highway Patrol also patrols local freeways and can issue citations that go through the same court process.

LA County Handles Long Beach Cases

Traffic violations in Long Beach go through Los Angeles County Superior Court. This is the same court that handles tickets for LA city and all other cities in the county. The court system is huge. It processes hundreds of thousands of traffic cases each year from over 10 million county residents.

For Long Beach citations, you use the LA County traffic court website to search for your ticket. The site has an online citation lookup tool at lacourt.ca.gov citation search. Enter your citation number to find case details. You can also search by driver license number if you lost your ticket and do not have the citation number.

The search tool shows what you owe, your due date, and what options you have. Some tickets let you pay online right away. Others may require you to submit proof of correction first or take other steps. The system gives specific instructions for your case.

Wait at least two weeks after getting your Long Beach ticket before searching online. Officers give you the paper ticket at the scene, but the court needs time to enter it into their database. If you search too early, you might not find results even though your ticket is valid. After two weeks, most citations appear in the system and you can see all the details.

Long Beach Police Traffic Stops

The Long Beach Police Department handles traffic enforcement throughout the city. Officers patrol neighborhoods, business districts, and major streets. They stop drivers for speeding, red light violations, illegal turns, and other infractions. When an officer gives you a ticket, that citation gets filed with LA County Superior Court within a few days.

You can find information about Long Beach Police traffic citations at longbeach.gov traffic citation info. The page explains where your ticket goes and how to handle it. The police department does not process payments or court matters. All of that goes through the county court system.

California Highway Patrol also works in Long Beach, especially on the 405, 710, and 91 freeways that run through the city. CHP officers can pull you over and issue citations just like city police. Those tickets also go to LA County Superior Court. The process is the same no matter which agency gave you the ticket.

Pay Long Beach Traffic Fines

Pay your Long Beach ticket through the LA County court system. The court accepts online payments via credit card or debit card. A convenience fee applies to online transactions. You can also pay by mail with a check or money order sent to the address on your courtesy notice. Include your citation number on the check so the court can apply payment to the right case.

In-person payments are accepted at LA County courthouse locations. The court has many branches throughout the county. Find the one closest to you on the court website. Bring your citation or courtesy notice when you go. Payment windows are open during business hours. Lines can be long, so plan extra time if you need to pay in person.

If you cannot afford to pay the full fine by the due date, contact the court about a payment plan. LA County offers installment plans for people who qualify. You must request this before your deadline. The court charges a fee to set up a payment plan, but it helps you avoid late penalties and license suspension. Call (213) 633-6300 to ask about payment options.

Some Long Beach tickets are correctable violations. These require you to fix a vehicle problem like a broken light or expired registration. After you fix it, get a signature from an authorized person such as a police officer or AAA agent. Submit the signed proof to the court with a $25 fee. The court dismisses the violation if you provide valid proof before the deadline.

Traffic School for Long Beach Tickets

LA County allows traffic school for eligible violations. Traffic school masks the point on your DMV record so insurance companies cannot see it. You still pay the full fine plus a $64 administrative fee for traffic school. Choose a state-approved school from the list on the court website. Complete the course before the deadline and the school sends proof to the court.

You can only use traffic school once every 18 months in California. If you already took it for another ticket recently, you are not eligible yet. Some violations do not qualify for traffic school at all, such as speeding over 100 mph or reckless driving. The court tells you if your Long Beach ticket is eligible when you request traffic school.

Most approved schools offer online courses. You can finish the class from home at your own pace. The course takes several hours total. You must pass a final exam. After you pass, the school files your completion certificate with the court electronically. The court updates your case to show you finished traffic school successfully.

Fight Your Long Beach Citation

You have the right to contest any traffic ticket in Long Beach. One option is trial by written declaration. You write a statement explaining why you are not guilty. The officer writes a report too. 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 later.

For an in-person trial, you appear before a judge at the courthouse on your scheduled date. You can bring evidence and witnesses. The officer who gave you the ticket usually appears as well. The judge listens to both sides and decides guilty or not guilty. If guilty, you pay the fine. If not guilty, the case is dismissed.

Many Long Beach drivers hire traffic attorneys to help with their cases. Lawyers know court procedures and traffic laws. They can sometimes get tickets reduced or 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 is serious. Weigh the lawyer's fee against the cost of just paying the fine.

Before contesting a ticket, consider your evidence. Do you have photos, witnesses, or other proof the officer was wrong? Were there special circumstances? If you have strong evidence, fighting the ticket may be worth it. If not, you could waste time and money and still lose. The court does not reduce fines without good reasons. You need real evidence to win.

What Happens If You Ignore It

Ignoring a Long Beach traffic ticket leads to serious problems. The court adds a civil assessment fee of up to $100. Your driver license gets suspended. If you drive on a suspended license, you can be arrested. The court may also charge you with failure to appear, which is a misdemeanor crime that adds more fines and fees.

A suspended license affects your insurance rates. Your insurance company will raise your premiums or drop your coverage. Employers who check driving records may not hire you or may fire you if driving is part of your job. The suspension stays on your DMV record for years.

If you already missed your deadline, contact LA County court immediately. They may be able to remove the hold on your license if you pay what you owe. Some amnesty programs reduce late fees for people who cannot afford the full amount. Call the court and explain your situation. The sooner you handle it, the less damage it does to your record and your wallet.

Long Beach Traffic Resources

The LA County Law Library has a branch in Long Beach. You can use their computers and books to research traffic laws. Staff can show you where to find legal information but cannot give legal advice. The library is free and open to the public.

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

If you have questions about your case or court procedures, the LA County court clerk 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.

Other LA County Cities

Traffic tickets in other LA County cities go through the same court system as Long Beach. Cities like Torrance, Pasadena, Glendale, and Compton all use LA County Superior Court. The process is identical for the entire county.

For traffic information in other California cities, see San Diego, Anaheim, and Oakland. Each city page has details about the local court and how to handle tickets there.