El Dorado County Traffic Tickets
Traffic citations in El Dorado County are handled by the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado. Police from South Lake Tahoe, Placerville, and other agencies file tickets with the court. County sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol also use the El Dorado County court for traffic violations. The traffic division processes cases from Highway 50, Interstate 80 through the Tahoe area, and local roads throughout the county. Online portals, phone services, mail options, and in-person visits allow you to manage your citation. Traffic school, payment plans, trial requests, and extensions are available to help you resolve your El Dorado County traffic ticket.
El Dorado County Traffic Quick Facts
Citation Lookup Portal
El Dorado County operates an online citation index where you can look up your traffic ticket. The portal is available through the court website. You need your citation number to search for your case. The system displays case details, bail amount, due date, and available options for handling your El Dorado County traffic ticket.
Access the portal through the court's public access system. The citation index pulls up information directly from the court database. Wait at least two weeks after receiving your ticket before searching online. The officer gives you a paper citation at the scene, but court staff need time to enter it into the computer system. Searching too early returns no results even though your ticket is valid.
Once your citation appears in the system, you can see what you owe and when you need to respond. Some citations allow online payment immediately. Others require additional steps before you can pay or resolve the ticket. The portal shows which options are available for your specific case in El Dorado County.
El Dorado Superior Court Traffic Division
The El Dorado County Superior Court Traffic Division processes all moving violations in the county. Court locations in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe handle traffic cases. Call 530-621-5047 during business hours to reach the traffic division. Staff can answer questions about your citation, explain procedures, and provide information about deadlines and requirements.
The traffic division website at eldorado.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 information specific to El Dorado County court policies and local procedures.
Court hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Traffic windows 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 El Dorado County traffic citation without traveling to the courthouse or taking time off work.
Paying Your Traffic Ticket
El Dorado County uses the ePayIt system for online payments. Access it through the court website or go directly to eldorado.epay-it.com to pay your ticket. You need your citation number. The system accepts credit cards and debit cards. Processing fees apply to card transactions. Bank account payments may have lower fees.
You can also mail a check or money order to the address shown on your courtesy notice. Write your citation number on the payment. Send it before your due date to avoid late fees. In-person payments are accepted at the clerk's office during business hours. Bring your citation or courtesy notice with you to the El Dorado County courthouse.
When you pay the fine, you plead guilty to the violation. The conviction goes on your DMV record. Points may be added to your license. Insurance companies will see the conviction. Your rates might increase as a result. Consider traffic school or contesting the ticket before you decide to pay the bail amount for your El Dorado County citation.
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. You must request traffic school and get court approval before enrolling. El Dorado County charges $69 for the traffic school administrative fee in addition to the fine amount and course cost.
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. Once approved, enroll in a court-approved traffic school. Most operate online. Complete the course before your deadline. The school reports completion to the court automatically in most cases.
Make sure you get confirmation that the court received your completion certificate. The point stays on your DMV record but gets hidden from insurance companies for three years. This saves you money because insurance rates do not increase for masked violations. Completing traffic school for an El Dorado County ticket is often worth the fees because it prevents insurance rate hikes over three years.
Fighting Your Citation
You can contest your traffic ticket if you think it is wrong. El Dorado 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 another chance to fight the ticket. You appear at the courthouse on a scheduled date. You present your case and can cross-examine the officer if they show up. The judge decides based on evidence and testimony presented during the trial in El Dorado 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 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. Get the problem fixed. Have a law enforcement officer sign your correction form. Submit it to the El Dorado County court with the $25 proof of correction fee. The violation does not go on your DMV record if you complete the process in time. This saves money compared to a regular conviction that raises your insurance rates for three years.
Consequences of Missing Deadlines
Ignoring your traffic citation creates serious problems in El Dorado County. The court adds fees to your balance. A civil assessment of $100 or more gets added. They may charge you with failure to appear, which is a misdemeanor. Your driver license gets suspended. Vehicle registration renewal is blocked until you clear the court case and pay all outstanding amounts.
Driving on a suspended license is a crime in California. If police stop you while suspended, you face additional criminal charges. Penalties increase with each violation. Getting your license back requires paying all fines, clearing the El Dorado County court case, and paying DMV reinstatement fees. The total cost is much higher than handling the original ticket on time.
Your Driving Record
El Dorado 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 violation type. One point for most 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. Employers might review it if you drive for work.
Too many points lead to license suspension by the DMV. Four points in 12 months, six points in 24 months, or eight points in 36 months trigger action. They send a warning letter first. If you accumulate more points, they suspend your license. Suspensions last for months and require reinstatement fees to get your driving privileges back in El Dorado County and throughout California.
Cities in El Dorado County
El Dorado 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 citations with the same court system. The process is the same throughout El Dorado County regardless of where you got your ticket.
Major communities include Placerville, South Lake Tahoe, and numerous unincorporated areas. The Tahoe region generates many traffic citations during ski season and summer tourism. Highway 50 through the county is a major route from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. All citations follow El Dorado County court procedures no matter who wrote the ticket or where it was issued within the county.
Help and Resources
Most traffic tickets do not require a lawyer. The court system is designed for self-representation. The El Dorado County court website has guides and forms. 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 each step.
Some situations benefit from legal advice. Multiple tickets, license suspension threats, or misdemeanor charges are cases where a lawyer might help. The El Dorado 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 work or support their family.
Nearby Counties
El Dorado County borders several other counties. Make sure your ticket was issued in El Dorado County before using these procedures. Each county runs its own court system. A ticket from Placer County uses different procedures than El Dorado County. Check your citation to confirm which court has jurisdiction. Neighboring counties include: