Tehama County Traffic Ticket Search
Traffic citations in Tehama County go through the Superior Court of California, County of Tehama. Law enforcement agencies throughout the county issue citations for moving violations and equipment problems. The court processes tickets from Interstate 5, Highway 99, and local roads across Tehama County. You can manage your citation online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Online payment portals, traffic school enrollment, extension requests, and trial options are available. The Tehama County court system helps you resolve traffic violations without always needing to visit the courthouse in Red Bluff during business hours.
Tehama County Traffic Quick Facts
Online Payment Portal
Tehama County uses an online payment system for traffic citations. Access the payment portal through the court website or visit the dedicated payment site directly. You need your citation number from the ticket. Enter it to pull up your case details and payment options. The system accepts credit cards and debit cards for convenient payment processing.
The payment portal at tehamacourt.municipalonlinepayments.com is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can pay your full bail amount to close the case. Processing fees apply when you use a card. The system provides a confirmation number and receipt after payment. Save these for your records in case any questions come up later about your Tehama County traffic citation.
Paying your ticket means you plead guilty to the violation. The conviction goes on your DMV record automatically. Points may be added to your license. Insurance companies will see the conviction. Your rates might go up. Think about traffic school or contesting the ticket before you decide to pay the bail amount for your Tehama County citation.
Tehama Superior Court Traffic Division
The Tehama County Superior Court Traffic Division processes all moving violations issued within the county. The office is located in Red Bluff at the county courthouse. Call (530) 527-3563 during business hours to reach the traffic division. Staff can answer questions about your citation, explain procedures, and provide information about deadlines and requirements.
Visit the traffic division website at tehama.courts.ca.gov/divisions/traffic 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 Tehama County traffic cases.
Court hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The traffic window 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 in person. This saves time and lets you manage your Tehama County traffic citation without traveling to Red Bluff or taking time off work.
How to Pay Your Ticket
Tehama County accepts traffic ticket payments through multiple methods. Pay online using the payment portal 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. Each method closes your case if you pay the full amount owed and do not have other requirements to complete.
If you cannot pay by the due date, ask for more time. Tehama 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.
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. You must request traffic school and get court approval before enrolling. Not all violations qualify. Check the court website for a list of eligible and ineligible violations in Tehama County.
You cannot use traffic school if you already used it within the past 18 months in California. Commercial drivers have additional restrictions. 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. Make sure you get confirmation that the court received your certificate before assuming the case is closed.
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 a Tehama County ticket is often worth the administrative fee and course cost because it prevents insurance rate hikes that would cost much more over three years.
Contesting Your Citation
You have the right to fight your traffic ticket. Tehama 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 without anyone appearing in 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. You appear at the courthouse on a scheduled date. You present your case and can question the officer if they appear. The judge decides based on evidence and testimony. This gives you two chances to fight the ticket before it becomes final in Tehama County.
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 is 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 Tehama 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 affects your insurance rates for three years.
Missing Your Deadline
Ignoring your traffic citation leads to serious problems. The Tehama 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. Your driver license gets suspended by the DMV. Vehicle registration renewal is blocked until you clear the court case and pay all fees.
Driving on a suspended license is a crime. 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 Tehama County court case, and paying DMV reinstatement fees. The total cost is much higher than handling the original ticket on time.
If you missed your deadline, contact the court now. Explain what happened. Ask about your options. The court might let you set up a payment plan or work out a solution. Avoiding the problem makes it worse. Taking action can prevent additional charges and higher costs even if you already missed the original due date for your Tehama County traffic citation.
Your Driving Record
Tehama 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 violation type. One point for most infractions. Two points for more serious violations.
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. 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 get more points, they suspend your license. Suspensions last for months and require reinstatement fees to get your driving privileges back in Tehama County and throughout California.
Cities in Tehama County
Tehama County includes several incorporated cities and many 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 Tehama County regardless of where you got your ticket.
Major cities include Red Bluff, Corning, and Tehama. Smaller communities and unincorporated areas are patrolled by county sheriff's deputies. California Highway Patrol covers Interstate 5 and state highways throughout the county. All follow Tehama County court procedures no matter who wrote the ticket or where it was issued within the county boundaries.
Help and Resources
You do not need a lawyer for most traffic tickets. The court system is designed for self-representation. The Tehama 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 Tehama 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
Tehama County borders several other counties. Make sure your ticket was issued in Tehama County before using these procedures. Each county runs its own court system. A ticket from Shasta County uses different procedures than Tehama County. Check your citation to confirm which court has jurisdiction. Neighboring counties include: