Pasadena Traffic Ticket Search

Traffic tickets in Pasadena go through the Los Angeles County Superior Court system for processing. When an officer writes a citation in Pasadena, it gets filed with the LA County court. Pasadena has roughly 138,000 people and sits in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. All traffic infractions and misdemeanors from Pasadena get handled by the county court. You can search for your ticket online, pay through the court portal, or request traffic school if you meet the requirements. The court provides ways to handle most tickets without visiting a courthouse in person. This guide explains how to look up Pasadena traffic citations, what options you have for payment, and where to find help with your case.

LA County Court for Pasadena Tickets

All traffic citations issued in Pasadena are processed by Los Angeles County Superior Court. This covers tickets from Pasadena Police, California Highway Patrol on the 210 freeway, and other agencies working in the city. LA County runs the largest court system in California and handles traffic cases from all 88 cities in the county. The court maintains online search tools where you can find your citation using the ticket number or your driver license.

The Los Angeles County traffic website at lacourt.org has all the information you need about traffic violations. You can find forms, payment instructions, and details about what to do after getting a ticket in Pasadena. The citation search portal at lacourt.ca.gov lets you search by citation number or driver license number to see your case details, amount due, and available options.

Pasadena traffic cases get assigned to specific courthouse locations based on where the violation happened. Most cases can be handled online or by mail. You only need to go to a courthouse if you have a mandatory court appearance or if you choose to contest the ticket in person. The court will tell you which location to use if an in-person visit is required.

Find Your Pasadena Traffic Citation

You can search for your Pasadena traffic ticket using the LA County citation lookup portal. You need the citation number that appears on the ticket the officer gave you. This number is usually at the top or bottom of the citation form. Enter it in the search box to see your case information. The system displays the bail amount, due date, and whether you can attend traffic school.

If you lost your citation number, try the driver license search option. Enter your California driver license number and birth date. The system finds all open tickets in Los Angeles County connected to your license. This works for Pasadena citations as long as the court has processed the ticket. Give it at least two weeks after the violation date before searching. The officer needs time to submit the citation to the court.

The automated phone system is another search option. Call (213) 742-1884 anytime day or night. Follow the voice prompts and enter your citation number when asked. The system tells you the amount due and your deadline. For questions that need a person, call 213-633-6300 during business hours. Staff can help with more detailed issues about your Pasadena traffic ticket.

The statewide MyCitations portal also works for Los Angeles County. Create an account and enter your citation number. This portal shows payment history, due dates, and lets you request traffic school or payment extensions in some situations. It serves as a backup if the LA County site has problems. The California DMV maintains records of traffic convictions at dmv.ca.gov for $2, but this shows past convictions, not pending Pasadena citations.

Pay Pasadena Traffic Tickets

Los Angeles County provides several payment methods for Pasadena traffic tickets. Online payment is the fastest way. Visit the traffic division website and follow the payment link. Enter your citation number and the system shows your balance. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or bank account. Card payments have a 1.95% processing fee added to the amount.

Phone payment works through the automated line at (213) 742-1884. This service runs 24 hours every day. Follow the prompts and enter your payment details using the phone keypad. You receive a confirmation number when finished. Save this number as proof of payment. Phone payments have the same fees as online payments.

Mail payment is available if you want to send a check or money order. Make it payable to "Los Angeles Superior Court" and write your citation number on the check. Send it to the address printed on your courtesy notice. Allow at least two weeks for delivery before your due date. Never send cash through the mail. The court processes the payment and mails you a receipt. This is the slowest method.

In-person payment can be done at designated LA County courthouse locations. Check which courthouse handles Pasadena tickets and their hours of operation. Bring your citation and photo ID. The clerk accepts cash, checks, money orders, and cards. You get a receipt immediately. Lines get long during busy periods, so arrive early. Most people find online payment more convenient. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about payment plans. The court may require a down payment and set up monthly installments. Setup fees may apply. Low-income residents can request fee reductions by filling out forms and showing proof of income.

Traffic School Options

Traffic school helps keep points off your insurance record if you qualify. Los Angeles County charges $64 as the administrative fee for traffic school in addition to your fine. You pay the full bail amount plus this fee. When you finish the class on time, the point goes on your DMV record but stays hidden from insurance companies. This keeps your rates from increasing.

Not everyone can use traffic school. You need a valid driver license. You cannot have completed traffic school in the past 18 months. The violation must qualify under California Vehicle Code Section 41501. Violations like DUI, reckless driving, or speeding over 100 mph do not qualify. Commercial drivers may be ineligible if the violation occurred in a commercial vehicle.

To request traffic school for your Pasadena ticket, use the LA County citation search portal or call the automated line before your due date. The court approves your request and gives you extra time to complete the class. You choose any licensed California traffic school. Many offer online courses you can finish at home in about eight hours. The school reports your completion to the court. Missing the deadline results in the point being added to your record and possible late fees.

Traffic school does not reduce the fine amount. You pay the same total whether you attend or not. The benefit is avoiding insurance rate increases. One point can raise your premium by 20% or more for three years. The traffic school fee is usually less than the extra insurance costs. Check with your insurance company to see how a point affects your specific policy.

Note: The $64 traffic school fee in LA County is one of the higher rates in California, but avoiding insurance increases typically makes it worthwhile.

Fix-It Tickets in Pasadena

Some Pasadena citations are for correctable violations. These cover equipment problems like broken taillights, expired registration, or missing insurance proof. When you fix the issue and show proof, the court reduces the fine to $25 under California Vehicle Code Section 40611. This is much less than the full bail amount.

To clear a fix-it ticket, repair the problem first. Get the broken part fixed or bring your vehicle into compliance. Then obtain a signature from an authorized person. For most equipment issues, any peace officer can sign. Some fixes require a mechanic or DMV employee to verify. Your citation states who can provide the signature. Pasadena Police Department can sign off on most equipment violations.

Submit the signed citation and $25 fee to Los Angeles County Superior Court after getting verification. You can mail it or deliver it to a courthouse. Do this before the deadline on your ticket. Missing the deadline means you pay the full fine instead of the reduced $25 fee. Keep a copy of the signed citation in case questions arise later.

Missing Pasadena Ticket Deadlines

Missing your Pasadena traffic ticket deadline creates serious problems. Los Angeles County adds a civil assessment of $100 to $300 on top of your original fine. This penalty comes from California Penal Code Section 1214.1. The court also reports the failure to appear to the California DMV, which suspends your driver license until you resolve the ticket.

A suspended license means you cannot legally drive. Getting stopped while suspended leads to additional charges. You also cannot renew your vehicle registration with an outstanding Pasadena citation on your record. The DMV hold remains until the court notifies DMV of resolution, which can take weeks after payment.

To fix a failure to appear, contact LA County Superior Court immediately. Call (213) 742-1884 or use the online portal. You must pay the original fine plus the civil assessment. The court may allow a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount. After you pay or arrange a plan, the court notifies DMV. Processing takes several days. You may also pay a reissue fee to get your license back. California offers an amnesty program for old tickets. If your Pasadena citation is over a year old and you have low income, you might qualify for reduced penalties. Contact the court for details on amnesty or fee reduction programs.

Contest Pasadena Traffic Tickets

You can fight your Pasadena traffic citation in court. Los Angeles County offers trial by written declaration or trial by court appearance. A written declaration lets you submit your case on paper. You write why the ticket is wrong. The officer writes their version. A judge reviews both and decides without seeing either person. This takes several weeks. You get your money back if you win. If you lose, you can request an in-person trial. Many choose this because it requires no time off work.

A court appearance trial means going to the courthouse in person. You present your case to a judge and can question the officer if they show up. The judge hears both sides and decides. If the officer does not appear, the court may dismiss the ticket. This type of trial gives you more control but requires at least one courthouse visit. To request a trial, check "not guilty" on your citation and return it by the due date. You can also request through the LA County portal or by phone. The court sends you instructions and a trial date.

Bring evidence that supports your case, such as photos or witness statements. Dress appropriately and be respectful in court. Hiring a traffic attorney is an option if you want professional help. Attorneys know the LA County court system and may get better results, especially for serious violations. They charge fees but can save you from points, higher insurance, or license suspension.

Pasadena Tickets on Your DMV Record

Traffic tickets from Pasadena go on your California DMV driving record when you pay or get convicted. The DMV adds points that stay for three years for most violations. Two-point violations stay for seven years. DUI convictions remain for ten years according to DMV retention rules. Too many points cause license suspension. Four points in 12 months or six points in 24 months triggers suspension.

Points affect your car insurance rates. Insurance companies check your DMV record and raise rates when they see points. One speeding ticket can increase your premium by 20% or more. Multiple tickets make insurance very expensive or cause denial of coverage. Traffic school masks points from insurance companies even though they stay on your DMV record. You can get your driving record from DMV anytime at dmv.ca.gov for $2. Review it regularly to check for errors that could cost you money in higher insurance.

Help with Pasadena Traffic Citations

For questions about your Pasadena traffic ticket, call Los Angeles County Superior Court. The automated line at (213) 742-1884 provides basic information 24/7. For complex questions, call 213-633-6300 during business hours. Court staff answer questions about your case and deadlines but cannot give legal advice. For legal advice, hire a private traffic attorney who specializes in LA County traffic violations. They can represent you and may get tickets reduced or dismissed.

If you cannot afford an attorney, seek free legal aid. The California Courts self-help website at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov has free guides on handling traffic tickets. For DMV questions, call 1-800-777-0133. They provide information about points, suspension status, and license reinstatement.