Kern County Traffic Tickets

Kern County traffic ticket records are managed by the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. If you got a traffic citation in Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, or any other part of Kern County, the case gets filed with this court system. You can look up your ticket, check bail amounts, pay fines, or find out about court dates through the traffic division. The court operates multiple locations across the county and offers night court services to help people who work during regular hours. Traffic violations in this county range from minor infractions to more serious moving violations, and all get processed through the same Superior Court system.

Kern Superior Court Traffic Division

The Superior Court of California in Kern County handles all traffic tickets issued within county lines. When law enforcement writes a citation, it goes to this court. The traffic division deals with infractions, misdemeanors, and more serious charges if they come from a traffic stop. Most tickets fall into the infraction category.

You can find detailed information about traffic court procedures, payment options, and court appearances at the official Kern County Superior Court traffic division website. The court provides guidance on how to handle your citation, what your options are, and how to navigate the system. Visit kern.courts.ca.gov/divisions/traffic-court to access traffic court services and resources for Kern County cases.

Kern County offers night court sessions for people who cannot make daytime appointments. Night court meets at 5:00 PM at 3131 Arrow Street in Bakersfield. This helps folks with work schedules that conflict with regular court hours. You must still call ahead or check online to confirm your case is on the night court calendar.

The main phone number for Kern County traffic court is (661) 610-7000. Call this line to ask about your ticket status, get info on payment plans, or schedule a court date. Phone hours vary so check the court website for current times. Some services require you to visit in person rather than handle everything over the phone.

Finding Your Ticket Information

Kern County traffic tickets can be looked up through various methods. You need your citation number from the ticket you received. Some searches also work with your driver license number. Keep your paperwork handy when you try to find your case online or by phone.

After you get a citation, wait at least two weeks before searching. It takes time for the court to enter the ticket into their system. If you search too soon, you might not see it even though the citation is valid. Once the case shows up, you can view bail amounts and due dates.

The court sends a courtesy notice to your address on file with the DMV. This notice explains your options and gives you the bail amount. Do not wait for the notice if you want to handle things quickly. You can look up the ticket online or call the court before the notice arrives in the mail.

Kern County participates in some statewide systems for traffic ticket resolution. Check whether your citation qualifies for online payment or trial by written declaration through those platforms. Not all cases work with every system, so verify your specific options based on the violation type and court location within Kern County.

Paying Traffic Fines

You can pay Kern County traffic tickets through several channels. Online payment is available for many citations. Mail-in payments work if you prefer to send a check or money order. In-person payment at the court clerk's office is also an option during business hours.

Traffic fines in Kern County vary based on the violation. Speeding tickets cost more if you were going way over the limit. Running a red light has a set fine. Equipment violations often cost less than moving violations but still require payment by the due date shown on your ticket or courtesy notice.

If you cannot afford the full amount, ask about payment plans or fine reductions. The court may offer installment agreements for people who qualify. You need to request these options before your due date passes. Missing the deadline can result in late fees and license suspension.

Traffic school is an option for some violations under California law. Attending an approved traffic school can keep the point off your driving record for insurance purposes. The violation still shows on your record but stays hidden from insurance companies. Kern County charges an administrative fee for traffic school on top of the course cost itself.

According to California Vehicle Code Section 40611, proof of correction fees are set at $25 statewide. If you got a fix-it ticket for an equipment problem like a broken taillight or expired registration, you must fix the issue and get it signed off. You can visit California Vehicle Code 40611 to read the specific statute about proof of correction procedures and fees in California.

Traffic Laws in California

Traffic citations in Kern County fall under the California Vehicle Code. This is the same law that applies across the entire state. The Vehicle Code covers everything from speed limits to right-of-way rules. Violations get categorized as infractions or misdemeanors depending on severity.

California Vehicle Code Section 1808 governs what information from your driver record is public. The DMV must release certain details about convictions and accidents. Other information stays confidential. This law sets retention periods for how long violations remain on your record. Most infractions stay for three years while DUI convictions last ten years on the public record. You can review the statute at California Vehicle Code 1808 for complete details on record disclosure and retention in California.

Some violations carry mandatory court appearances. You cannot just pay the fine and move on. Reckless driving charges, DUI cases, and certain other offenses require you to show up in court even if you plan to plead guilty or no contest. The citation itself will say if a court appearance is mandatory for your case.

If you fail to appear for a required court date or fail to pay a fine by the deadline, the court can add a civil assessment. Under California Penal Code Section 1214.1, courts may assess up to $300 for failure to appear on a misdemeanor and up to $100 for an infraction. The DMV can also suspend your license if the court reports your failure to comply.

Night Court Services

Kern County provides night court as a convenience for working residents. Sessions start at 5:00 PM at the court facility located at 3131 Arrow Street in Bakersfield. This schedule helps people avoid taking time off from day jobs to handle traffic matters.

Not every type of case gets heard at night court. Check with the traffic division to see if your citation qualifies for night court arraignment or other proceedings. Some hearings must happen during regular daytime hours due to staffing or case complexity.

Arrive early for night court. Parking can fill up quickly since many people prefer evening sessions. Bring all relevant documents including your citation, license, proof of insurance, and any correspondence from the court. Being prepared speeds up the process and ensures you have what the judge or clerk needs to handle your case.

DMV Records and Points

After Kern County Superior Court processes your traffic ticket, the conviction gets reported to the California DMV. The DMV adds the violation to your driving record. Insurance companies check this record when setting your rates. Employers may also review it if you drive for work.

Most traffic violations carry one or two points. Serious offenses can result in more points. If you accumulate too many points within a set time period, the DMV can suspend your license. Taking traffic school for eligible violations keeps the point from affecting your insurance even though it still appears on the DMV record.

You can request your own California driving record online through the DMV website. The online version costs two dollars and gets delivered instantly after you pay. Mail requests cost five dollars and take longer to process. Your record shows all reportable convictions, collisions, and departmental actions for the retention period specified by law.

California Vehicle Code Section 1808.21 addresses confidentiality of home address information in DMV records. Under this law, certain individuals can request that their residential address be kept confidential to protect their safety. Review the full statute at California Vehicle Code 1808.21 if you need to restrict access to your address in California motor vehicle records.

Kern County Court Facilities

Kern County operates several court locations to serve different areas of the county. The main courthouse in Bakersfield handles a large volume of traffic cases. Other facilities exist in Delano, Ridgecrest, Mojave, Taft, and Shafter to provide local access across the county's vast geographic area.

Which courthouse handles your ticket depends on where the citation was issued. The ticket itself shows the court location where you need to appear or where you should direct inquiries. Going to the wrong courthouse wastes your time since they cannot help with cases assigned to another location within the county.

Each court facility has different hours and services available. Some locations only operate on certain days of the week. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person to confirm the office is open and can assist with your specific needs. The main phone line at (661) 610-7000 can direct you to the right location.

Parking is available at most court facilities but may require fees at some locations. Arrive with extra time to find parking and go through security screening. All courthouses use metal detectors and restrict certain items from the building for safety reasons.

Getting More Time

If you need more time to handle your traffic ticket, Kern County may grant an extension. Extensions give you extra weeks or months to pay the fine or prepare for trial. You must request the extension before your current due date passes.

The court charges a fee for extensions. This fee gets added to your total balance. Factor that cost into your decision about whether to ask for more time. Extensions do not reduce the underlying fine, they just move the deadline further out.

Requesting a continuance for a court date follows a different process than asking for a payment extension. Continuances reschedule your court appearance to a later date. You need a valid reason for the continuance and must submit your request according to court procedures. The judge decides whether to grant it.

Contesting Your Ticket

You have the right to contest any traffic ticket in Kern County. Contesting means you dispute the charges and want a trial. Two main trial options exist for traffic infractions in California courts.

Trial by written declaration lets you submit your case on paper without appearing in court. You write out your explanation and submit it along with the bail amount. The officer submits their report. A judge reviews both and issues a decision. This saves time but gives up your ability to question the officer in person.

In-person trial happens at the courthouse. You show up on the scheduled date. The officer testifies. You can cross-examine them and present your own evidence. The judge makes a decision after hearing both sides. In-person trials take more time but let you challenge the officer's account directly.

If you lose at trial, you can appeal the decision to a higher court. Appeals are expensive and complicated. Most people only pursue appeals if significant consequences are at stake or if they believe the trial court made a legal error that affected the outcome.

The California Courts self-help website offers extensive guidance on traffic ticket trials and the appeals process. Understanding your procedural rights and the steps involved helps you make informed decisions about contesting a citation. Access traffic ticket trial information at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/traffic for statewide resources applicable to Kern County cases.

Additional Resources

Several organizations provide help with traffic tickets in Kern County. Legal aid services may assist low-income individuals who cannot afford an attorney. The State Bar of California runs a referral service if you want to hire a lawyer for your case.

Traffic ticket defense attorneys practice throughout Kern County. They handle trials, negotiate with prosecutors, and advise clients on the best course of action. Hiring an attorney costs money but may save you more in the long run if your case is complicated or carries serious penalties like license suspension.

Some violations trigger additional consequences beyond court fines. Commercial drivers face stricter rules. Drivers under 21 have different point thresholds for license action. Knowing your specific situation helps you understand what is really at stake with your traffic ticket in Kern County.

Major Cities in Kern County

Kern County includes one city with a population over 100,000 residents. Traffic tickets issued within city limits still go through the Kern County Superior Court system rather than a separate city court.

• Bakersfield

Smaller communities like Delano, Ridgecrest, Taft, Wasco, Arvin, and Shafter also fall under the jurisdiction of Kern County Superior Court for traffic matters. No matter where in the county your citation was written, the same court system processes the case.

Nearby California Counties

Kern County borders several other California counties. Each has its own Superior Court traffic division.

• Tulare County
• Kings County
• San Luis Obispo County
• Santa Barbara County
• Ventura County
• Los Angeles County
• Inyo County

If you got a ticket in a different county, you must handle it through that county's court system. California has 58 counties and each runs its own traffic court operations independently.