When You're In Court

Entering a Plea
There are three choices for pleading your ticket: (1) not guilty, (2) guilty or (3) no contest. A plea of either guilty or no contest means that you admit you committed the violation, and you want to pay the ticket. A plea of not guilty means you want to fight the ticket, and you will be assigned a trial date.

Traffic School
In most circumstances, you may choose to attend traffic school if you have received a ticket for a moving violation. You may attend traffic school only once every 18 months. You will need to pay the ticket and a $32.00 administrative fee. You will also need to pay the traffic school whatever fee it charges. You will be given three months to pay the ticket and the administrative fee, and to finish the class. The point for the moving violation will not appear on your driving record when you have successfully finished your class and paid all the charges described above. Internet traffic school is also available.

Continuances
If you know that you will not be able to come on your first appearance arraignment, you must go to Room 145 at the Hall of Justice to request a Continuance. Make your Request as soon as you know you won't be able to appear for your court date. Only a one month continuance will be granted from the original first appearance arraignment date. No further continuances will be allowed at the windows in Room 145.

Trials
Be sure to be on time for your trial. If you are not present when your name is called, the police officer will be allowed to leave and your case will not be heard. At trial, the police officer testifies first, and then you will have the chance to ask the officer questions about the ticket. You may then testify, and present any evidence you might have brought with you, including any witnesses. The Commissioner will then inform you if you have been found guilty or not guilty. You have the right to appeal if you disagree with the Commissioner's decision.

Options For Paying the Fine
If you plead guilty, or are found guilty by the Commissioner, you will be given a fine. You may pay the amount of the fine that same day, pay it in full within two months, or enter into a contract to make monthly payments until the fine is paid. If you choose to make monthly payments, there will be a one-time fee of $30.00 on top of your first monthly payment. If you are unable to pay the fine, you may choose to take care of it by doing community service through Project 20. With this option, you work your fine off at the rate of $10.00 per hour.

Effective August 22, 2005, a civil assessment of $300.00 will be added to any traffic fine if you fail to post bail on time or to appear for your scheduled court date. On that date, all delinquent citations will be referred to the San Francisco Treasurer's Office for collection.

California law permits the court to impose a civil assessment of up to three hundred dollars ($300) against any individual who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court for any proceeding, or who fails to pay all or any portion of a fine ordered by the court. The civil assessment is imposed in addition to, and separate from, any fine connected with a traffic citation.

How To Get Ready For Your Trial Or Hearing
Know what you are cited for - check your ticket, or get a copy in Room 145 before court.

If you are charged with expired registration, bring your current registration to court. The same applies with insurance, change of address, or driver's license. If you have a "fix-it" ticket and you have fixed the problem - headlight out, taillight out, for example - have it signed off by any police officer and bring it to court. If you've sold the vehicle, donated it, or had it towed, bring the sales, donation or tow documents.

If you were in jail for any period of time after the date of your ticket, you may be entitled to credit for time served. Bring in proof of the dates of your incarceration.

Photographs and/or diagrams of the area where your ticket was issued are often helpful in showing the Commissioner the points you want to make.

Presenting Your Case In Court

Do:	Tell the Commissioner what street or highway you were on, what intersection, if any, was involved, and the direction you were traveling. Describe what happened in the order it happened. Present your best reasons first for why you think your ticket should be dismissed. Simple and to the point is best. If the Commissioner asks you any questions, try to answer them directly. Dress as if you are coming to a business appointment.
Don't:	Interrupt or argue with the Commissioner or the police officer. Repeat yourself unnecessarily. Come into court unprepared, without the documents you need for your case. Bring a cell phone or a pager into court.

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