Butte County Traffic Citation Search
The Superior Court of California, County of Butte handles traffic citations issued throughout the county. Police from Chico, Oroville, Paradise, and other agencies file tickets with the court system. County sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol also use the Butte County court for traffic violations. The traffic division processes citations from Highway 99, Highway 70, local roads, and city streets across the county. You can handle your ticket through online services, phone payment, mail, or in-person visits. Traffic school, payment plans, trial requests, and extensions are available to help you resolve your Butte County traffic citation.
Butte County Traffic Quick Facts
Butte Superior Court Traffic Division
Butte County Superior Court operates a traffic division that handles all moving violations in the county. The main office is in Oroville. Branch courts in Chico also process traffic matters. Call (530) 532-7005 during business hours to reach the traffic division. Staff can answer questions about your citation, explain procedures, and provide information about deadlines. They cannot give legal advice but can tell you what steps to take for your Butte County traffic ticket.
The traffic division website at butte.courts.ca.gov/divisions/traffic has forms, fee schedules, and instructions for handling citations. You can learn about traffic school eligibility, trial procedures, payment methods, and fine reduction programs. The site includes local information specific to Butte County traffic court policies and procedures.
Court windows operate Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The traffic office may close for lunch. Check the website for current hours before visiting. Many services can be handled online or by mail instead of coming to the courthouse. This saves time and lets you manage your Butte County traffic citation without taking time off work or traveling to the courthouse in person.
Paying Your Ticket
Butte County accepts traffic ticket payments through multiple methods. Pay online using a credit card or debit card through the court's payment system. Mail a check or money order to the address shown on your courtesy notice. Visit the clerk's office during business hours to pay in person. Each method closes your case if you pay the full amount owed and do not have other requirements to complete.
When you pay your ticket, you plead guilty to the violation. The conviction goes on your DMV record. Points may be added to your license based on the type of offense. Insurance companies will see the conviction when they review your driving history. Your rates might increase. Consider traffic school or contesting the ticket before you decide to pay the bail amount for your Butte County citation.
If you cannot afford to pay by your due date, ask for more time. Butte County may grant extensions in some situations. You can also request a payment plan that spreads the cost over several months. Some drivers qualify for reduced fines based on financial hardship. Contact the court before your deadline to ask about these options and avoid late fees and penalties.
Missing your due date triggers automatic consequences. The court adds fees to your balance. A civil assessment of up to $100 gets added. They might charge you with failure to appear, which is a misdemeanor. Your driver license gets suspended. Registration renewal is blocked. Handle your ticket before the deadline to avoid these extra costs and legal problems in Butte County.
Traffic School Option
Traffic school lets you hide one point from insurance companies. The conviction still goes on your DMV record. Insurance companies cannot see the masked point when they check your file. This prevents rate increases even though the violation remains on your record. You must request traffic school and the court must approve you before enrolling in a course.
Butte County charges $52 for the traffic school administrative fee. This is in addition to the fine amount. Not all violations qualify for traffic school. The court website lists eligible and ineligible violations. You cannot use traffic school if you already used it within the past 18 months in California. Commercial drivers have additional restrictions on traffic school use.
After the court approves your request, enroll in a court-approved traffic school. Most schools operate online so you can complete the course at your own pace. Finish before your deadline. The school reports completion to the court automatically. Make sure you get confirmation that the court received your certificate. The point stays on your DMV record but gets hidden from insurance companies for three years after your Butte County traffic conviction.
Fighting Your Citation
You can contest your traffic ticket if you think it is wrong. Butte County offers trial by written declaration and in-person court trials. Written declarations let you submit your case on paper without appearing in court. You fill out forms explaining why the ticket should be dismissed. The officer submits their version. A judge reviews both statements and makes a ruling based on the written evidence.
If you lose the written trial, you can request a trial de novo. This is an in-person trial that gives you a second chance. You appear at the courthouse on a date set by the judge. You present your case and can cross-examine the officer if they show up. The judge decides based on the evidence and testimony presented during the trial in Butte County court.
Many people choose written declarations first because they work around your schedule. You do not miss work or other commitments. You just fill out forms and mail them to the court. The process takes longer than paying the fine, but it gives you a chance to avoid the conviction and points on your record if the judge rules in your favor. If you lose, you still have the in-person trial option before the case becomes final.
Fix-it tickets are for correctable violations like broken lights, expired registration, or missing proof of insurance. Get the problem fixed. Have a law enforcement officer or authorized person sign your correction form. Submit it to the Butte County court with the $25 proof of correction fee set by state law. The violation does not go on your DMV record if you complete the process in time. This saves you money compared to a regular conviction that raises insurance rates.
DMV Records and Points
Butte County reports all traffic convictions to the California DMV. The DMV adds each conviction to your driving record. Most violations stay on your record for three years from the conviction date. DUI and serious offenses remain for ten years. Points accumulate based on the violation type. One point for most speeding and basic infractions. Two points for more serious violations or reckless driving.
Get your driving record from the DMV to see what is on file. It costs $2 online or $5 by mail. You need a DMV account to request it online. The record shows all convictions, accidents, and points. Insurance companies use this to set your rates. Courts check it when deciding penalties for new violations. Employers might review it if you drive for work.
Too many points lead to license suspension. Four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months trigger DMV action. They send a warning letter first. If you accumulate more points, they suspend your license. Suspensions last for months and require reinstatement fees. Keeping your record clean helps you avoid these problems and keeps your insurance rates lower in Butte County and throughout California.
Cities in Butte County
Butte County includes several incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. All traffic citations go through the county Superior Court no matter which agency issued the ticket. City police, county sheriff, and highway patrol all file their citations with the same court system. The process is the same throughout Butte County regardless of where you got your traffic ticket.
Major city in Butte County:
Oroville, Paradise, Gridley, and Biggs are smaller cities that also have police departments or contract with the county sheriff. Unincorporated areas are patrolled by county sheriff's deputies. California Highway Patrol covers state highways throughout the county. All citations follow Butte County court procedures no matter who wrote the ticket or where it was issued within the county boundaries.
Help and Resources
Most traffic tickets do not require a lawyer. The court system is designed for people to represent themselves. The Butte County court website has guides and forms that explain each step. California Courts operates a statewide self-help site at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/traffic with detailed traffic citation information. These free resources explain your rights and walk through the process from start to finish.
Some situations benefit from legal advice. Multiple tickets, license suspension threats, or misdemeanor charges are cases where a lawyer might help. The Butte County Bar Association can refer you to traffic attorneys. Some offer free consultations. Legal aid organizations assist low-income residents with serious traffic matters that could affect their ability to drive to work or support their family. Consider getting help if your situation is complex or the consequences are serious.
Nearby Counties
Butte County borders several other counties. Make sure your ticket was issued in Butte County before using these procedures. Each county runs its own court system with different rules and websites. Check your citation to see which court has jurisdiction over your case. Neighboring counties include: