You may choose to contest your ticket without appearing in front of the judge for arraignment. If you plead not guilty at arraignment, you may ask for a court trial on a separate date. When you appear for an arraignment hearing, you will enter a plea. Rules of Court, rule 4.105.) You must appear as instructed on the citation, even if you do not receive a courtesy notice. You have the right to appear in court for arraignment to contest the alleged traffic infraction without prior deposit of bail. For more information on the law and photo citations, see California Vehicle Code section 21455.5.ĭo You Have to Post Bail for Your Traffic Infraction?
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If you get a photo citation, such as when a camera takes a photo of you in your car at a red light or at a railroad-grade crossing, you will get a notice in the mail about how to handle the ticket. For more information on correctable violations, and how to get your certificate of correction, go to the Correctable Violations (“Fix-It” Tickets) section below. The officer may also give you a “fix-it” ticket, for a “correctable violation,” if your car has broken equipment, like a broken headlight. When a non-owner is ticketed for correctable violations the owner of the vehicle is also charged with an infraction, and an “owner responsibility” ticket is mailed to his or her address. If you do not have proof of your car insurance, you will be charged with another infraction for driving without proof of insurance. By signing the ticket, which is also called your “Notice to Appear,” you promise to (1) appear in court in person or by filing a pleading in response to the notice, or (2) pay the fine.
If you have proper ID, the officer will probably write a ticket and ask you to sign it. If you are stopped for a traffic offense such as driving too fast or running a red light, you can be charged with an infraction.