Shasta County Traffic Citations
Traffic tickets in Shasta County are processed by the Superior Court of California, County of Shasta. Police from Redding and other agencies file citations with the court. County sheriff's deputies and California Highway Patrol also use the Shasta County court for traffic violations. The traffic division handles cases from Interstate 5, Highway 299, and local roads throughout the county. Online services, phone payment, mail options, 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 Shasta County traffic ticket efficiently.
Shasta County Traffic Quick Facts
Shasta Superior Court Traffic Division
The Shasta County Superior Court Traffic Division processes all moving violations issued within the county. The main office is located in Redding. Call (530) 245-6789 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 Shasta County traffic ticket.
Visit the traffic division website at shasta.courts.ca.gov/divisions/traffic-division 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 Shasta County traffic cases.
Court hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The traffic window may close for lunch in the middle of the day. 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 Shasta County traffic citation on your own schedule without taking time off work.
Paying Your Traffic Ticket
Shasta County accepts traffic ticket payments through multiple channels. Pay online using the court's payment system with a credit card or debit card. 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. Processing fees may apply depending on your payment method.
When you pay your ticket, you plead guilty to the violation. The conviction goes on your DMV record automatically. 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 as a result. Consider traffic school or contesting the ticket before you decide to pay the bail amount for your Shasta County citation.
If you cannot afford to pay by the due date, request an extension or payment plan. Shasta County offers these options in some situations. You need to ask before your deadline passes. Extensions give you more time to pay. Payment plans let you spread the cost over several months. Some drivers qualify for reduced fines based on financial hardship. Contact the court before your deadline to avoid late fees and penalties.
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 get court approval before enrolling in a course.
Shasta County charges $70 for the traffic school administrative fee. This is in addition to the fine amount and the cost of the course itself. 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. Finish 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 after your Shasta County traffic conviction.
Fighting Your Citation
You can contest your traffic ticket if you think it is wrong. Shasta 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 the evidence and testimony presented during the trial in Shasta 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 Shasta 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.
Consequences of Ignoring Tickets
Ignoring your traffic citation creates serious problems in Shasta County. The 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. Your driver license gets suspended by the DMV. 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 Shasta County court case, and paying DMV reinstatement fees. The total cost is much higher than if you had handled the original ticket on time before penalties accumulated.
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 Shasta County traffic citation.
Your Driving Record
Shasta 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 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 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 Shasta County and throughout California.
Cities in Shasta County
Shasta 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 Shasta County regardless of where you got your ticket.
Major city in Shasta County:
Smaller cities like Anderson and Shasta Lake also have local law enforcement. Unincorporated areas are patrolled by county sheriff's deputies. California Highway Patrol covers Interstate 5 and state highways throughout the county. All citations follow Shasta 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 Shasta 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 Shasta 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
Shasta County borders several other counties. Make sure your ticket was issued in Shasta County before using these procedures. Each county runs its own court system with different rules and websites. Check your citation to confirm which court has jurisdiction over your case. Neighboring counties include: