Nevada County Traffic Records
Traffic citations in Nevada County go through the Superior Court of California, County of Nevada. Law enforcement from Grass Valley, Nevada City, Truckee, and other agencies file tickets with the court. County sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol also use the Nevada County court for traffic violations. The traffic division handles cases from Highway 49, Interstate 80 through the Truckee area, and local roads throughout the county. Online payment services, phone options, mail, and in-person visits allow you to manage your citation. Traffic school, trial requests, extensions, and payment plans are available to help you resolve your Nevada County traffic ticket.
Nevada County Traffic Quick Facts
Nevada Superior Court Traffic Division
The Nevada County Superior Court Traffic Division processes all moving violations issued within the county. Court locations in Nevada City and Truckee handle traffic cases. Call 530-362-4309 during business hours to reach the traffic division. Staff can answer questions about your citation, explain procedures, and provide information about deadlines and requirements for handling your Nevada County traffic ticket.
Visit the traffic division website at nevada.courts.ca.gov/divisions/traffic-and-infractions for forms, instructions, and detailed information about traffic court procedures. The site explains traffic school eligibility, trial options, payment methods, and fine reduction programs. You can download forms and learn about local policies specific to Nevada County traffic cases.
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 tasks can be completed online or by mail instead of going to the courthouse in person. This lets you handle your Nevada County traffic citation on your own schedule without taking time off work or traveling to the courthouse.
How to Pay Your Ticket
Nevada County uses the nCourt payment system for online and phone payments. Access it through the court website. You need your citation number from the ticket. The system accepts credit cards and debit cards. Processing fees apply to card transactions. Bank account payments may have lower fees depending on the payment processor.
You can also pay by mail. Send a check or money order to the address shown on your courtesy notice. Write your citation number on the payment. Mail it before your due date to avoid late fees and penalties. In-person payments are accepted at the clerk's office during business hours. Bring your citation or courtesy notice with you to the Nevada County courthouse.
Paying your ticket means you plead guilty. The conviction goes on your DMV record automatically. Points may be added to your license based on the type of violation. Insurance companies will see the conviction when they review your driving history. Your rates might increase. Think about traffic school or contesting the ticket before you decide to pay the bail amount for your Nevada County citation.
Traffic School Information
Traffic school hides one point from insurance companies. The conviction still appears 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 for your Nevada County traffic ticket.
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. Once approved, enroll in a court-approved traffic school. Most schools operate online so you can complete the course at your own pace.
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 in Nevada County.
Contesting Your Citation
You have the right to fight your traffic ticket. Nevada County offers trial by written declaration and in-person court trials. Written declarations let you contest the ticket on paper without appearing in court. Fill out forms explaining why you are not guilty. The officer submits their statement. A judge reviews both versions and makes a ruling based on the written evidence submitted to the court.
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 appear. The judge decides based on the evidence and testimony presented during the trial in Nevada County court.
Many drivers choose written declarations first. You do not miss work. You do not speak in front of a judge. 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 if the judge rules in your favor. If you lose, you still get the in-person trial option before the case becomes final in Nevada County.
Fix-it tickets are for correctable violations like broken lights or expired registration. Get the problem fixed. Have a law enforcement officer or authorized person sign your correction form. Submit it to the Nevada 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 money compared to a regular conviction.
Extensions and Payment Plans
If you cannot pay by the due date, request an extension or payment plan from Nevada County court. Extensions give you more time to handle the ticket. Payment plans let you spread the cost over several months. Some drivers qualify for reduced fines based on financial hardship. You need to request these options before your deadline passes to avoid penalties and additional fees.
Contact the court to ask about extensions or payment plans. Explain your situation. Provide any documentation they request. The court reviews your request and decides whether to approve it. If approved, follow the new deadlines and payment schedule exactly. Missing payments on a payment plan can result in the full balance becoming due immediately plus fees in Nevada County.
Missing Your Deadline
Failing to respond to your traffic citation creates serious problems. The Nevada County court adds fees to your balance. A civil assessment of $100 or more gets tacked on. They may charge you with failure to appear, which is a misdemeanor that goes on your criminal record. The DMV suspends your driver license. Vehicle registration renewal is blocked until you clear the court case and pay all outstanding amounts.
Driving with 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 Nevada County court case, and paying DMV reinstatement fees. The total cost is much higher than if you had handled the original ticket on time.
If you missed your deadline, contact the court immediately. Explain what happened. Ask about your options. The court might let you set up a payment plan or work out another solution. Avoiding the problem makes it worse. Taking action now can prevent additional criminal charges and higher costs even if you already missed the original due date for your Nevada County traffic citation.
Your Driving Record
Nevada County reports all traffic convictions to the California DMV. The DMV adds each conviction to your permanent 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 type of violation. 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 for new violations. Employers might review it if you drive for work or need a clean record.
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 Nevada County and throughout California.
Cities in Nevada County
Nevada 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 Nevada County regardless of where you got your ticket.
Major communities include Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee. Tahoe communities like Donner Lake and other mountain areas are also part of Nevada County. Each area has its own police department or contracts with the county sheriff. California Highway Patrol covers interstate and state highways. All follow Nevada County court procedures no matter who wrote the ticket or where it was issued within the county.
Help and Resources
You do not need a lawyer for most traffic tickets. The court system is designed for self-representation. The Nevada County court website has guides and forms. California Courts operates a statewide self-help center at selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/traffic with information about traffic citations. These free resources explain your rights and walk through each step of the process.
Some cases benefit from legal advice. Multiple tickets, license suspension threats, or misdemeanor charges are situations where a lawyer might help. The Nevada County Bar Association can refer you to traffic attorneys. Some offer free consultations. Legal aid groups assist low-income residents with serious traffic matters that could affect their ability to work or support their family.
Nearby Counties
Nevada County borders several other counties. Make sure your ticket was issued in Nevada County before using these procedures. Each county runs its own court system. A ticket from Placer County uses different procedures than Nevada County. Check your citation to confirm which court has jurisdiction. Neighboring counties include: