The information on this
page pertains to traffic infractions only. For traffic matters
that include misdemeanor violations (driving under the influence, reckless
driving, driving on a suspended license and other vehicle violations
classified as misdemeanors please visit the
Criminal page.
TRAFFIC COURT LOCATIONS
Moreno Valley Court
13800 Heacock St. Bldg D #201
Moreno Valley, Ca. 92553
951.955.9422
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Banning Court
135 N. Alessandro Road
Banning, Ca. 92220
951.922.7140
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Hemet Court
880 N. State Street
Hemet, Ca. 92543
951.766.2310
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Temecula Court
41002 County Center Dr. #100
Temecula, Ca. 92591
951.600.6400
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Blythe Court
265 N. Broadway
Blythe, Ca. 92225
760.921.7828
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Indio Court
46-200 Oasis Street
Indio, Ca. 92201
760.775.0300
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
PAY YOUR CITATION ONLINE
You may pay your
traffic citation in full, sign up for traffic school, or make payments
on a case that is already set up with a payment arrangement. If your
citation includes any mechanical, registration, license or insurance
violation and you are submitting proof of correction your fine cannot be processed online.
You may enter either your citation number, which is the entire number on
the traffic citation/ticket, provided to you by law enforcement, or your
case number which is the number on your bail quote and/or courtesy
notice.
To
make a payment or pay your traffic ticket,
click here
PAY YOUR
CITATION BY PHONE
You
may pay your citation by telephone by using Visa, MasterCard, American
Express or Discover. This option is available 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
You may enter either your citation number, which is the entire number on
the traffic citation/ticket, provided to you by law enforcement, or your
case number which is the number on your bail quote and/or courtesy
notice.
If
you have already pled guilty and have made payment arrangements and wish
to make a partial payment OR pay your fine in full, you may pay
with Visa, Master Card, American Express or Discover. Please have your citation number and
credit card information available. You may also obtain the following
information by phone:
If you live in these
areas call:
Riverside............951.955.9422
Blythe.................760.921.7828
Indio...................760.775.0300
The call is answered on
the first ring. The caller is greeted with introductory messages in both
Spanish and English prompting the caller to select from informational and
instructional messages in the language of their choice. Callers then
select from a menu of specific topics.
- To obtain the fine
amount due on a traffic ticket
- For additional
information on paying a traffic citation
- Information on how to
clear a "Fix-it" ticket
- Information on how to
pay a traffic warrant or D.M.V. hold
- Information on traffic
school
- Information regarding
walk-in court
- Information concerning
Court Trials
CONTESTING A CITATION
To contest your citation,
you must enter a plea of not guilty, and submit the full fine amount.
You may request a hearing by court trial or written trial by declaration at
the clerk's office or through the mail on any infraction
with the exception of violations 22348B
VC (driving over 100 MPH or 23140B
- driving under the influence of alcohol
with .05 or greater).
Mail your request to the
court listed at the bottom of the citation. Include:
- Written request for a
court trial or written trial by declaration.
- Full bail amount as
indicated on your courtesy notice.
Court Trial:
A court trial is a method of contesting your citation with an
appearance in court.
Upon request for a court trial and submission of your payment, you
will be given a court date in the future and the
officer will be notified
to appear at the hearing. At the trial, you and the officer will be
given the opportunity to
state your case and
present evidence,
witnesses or documents that
support the case.
The judicial officer will
examine the facts of law and will
make
a decision
concerning your case.
Written
Trial by Declaration
If you
request a written trial by declaration, you must waive your rights to
appear, to testify in person, and to subpoena witnesses. The
California Judicial Council provides instructions and a form (which is
mandatory) for defendants to contest a citation in writing.
Instructions to Defendant
Request for Trial by Written Declaration
Request
for
Postponement
of a Traffic Court Trial:
Requests for
postponement of a traffic court trial should be filed at least 10
court (business) days prior to
the Court Trial hearing date. The request will be submitted to the judicial
officer for approval. You will be notified by mail, or if you provided an email
address you will be notified via email. You may also contact the court for
status of the request. If you submit your request untimely, it may be denied.
To
request a postponement, complete the court form
Defendant's Request for
Postponement of Traffic Court Trial.
The law enforcement officer who issued you the citation may also
request a postponement of the traffic court trial. If this occurs,
you will receive a copy of their request by mail. If you object to
law enforcement’s request for postponement, you may file an
objection using form RI-TR03 –
Defendant's
Objection to Postponement of Traffic Court Trial.
Questions About Court Trials:
-
How long will the trial take?
You should plan to be at court for three hours or more on the day of
trial. Remember to check your trial date, department and time.
-
Should I
bring my evidence?
If you have
photos, diagrams, reports, or any other exhibits, which you plan to
present at the time of the trial, bring them with you on your trial
date.
If
you have witnesses that are necessary to your defense, you should have
them subpoenaed to appear in court. You can obtain the subpoena form
from the Clerk's Office. Do this well in advance of your trial date.
Complete the subpoena form, have the subpoena served, and file the
subpoena with the proof of service with the Court on or before your
trial date.
Report directly to the Department that your trial has been scheduled in.
The deputy or clerk will give some preliminary instructions and then
check in those people appearing in court.
A Judicial Officer will then hear the cases. The
Court will listen to the statements of the sworn witnesses against you
and may question each witness. You may then present your case to the
Court, and the Court will rule on the matter or take the matter under
submission. If the Court takes the matter under submission you will be
notified by mail of the court's ruling and if found guilty the sentence
will be imposed.
- What if I am found
not guilty?
If you are found not guilty, your payment will be returned to the
depositor by mail within sixty days.
- What if I do not
appear at the time of trial?
Your trial can be heard in absence. You
may
be found guilty and your payment
will be
applied to your fine and your driving record will show a conviction.
The officer will be subpoenaed to appear in court.
Contesting a Judicial
Decision
An appeal can be filed
within 30 days only after being found guilty in a court trial. New
evidence is not accepted on appeal. The appellate court's decision
deals with the evidence offered and decisions made at the time of trial.
For more information visit
the Appeals page.
EXTENSIONS
You are entitled to one 60 day extension from the appearance date listed
on your citation. You may request a 60-day extension by telephone or in
person at any court location. For extensions beyond 60 days you must
appear in court and speak with the judicial officer.
MANDATORY APPEARANCE
If your case requires a
mandatory appearance, you cannot pay your fine without first appearing in
court for arraignment. You can appear on or before your
appearance date at any of the listed court locations. (Click here
for court locations).
Your courtesy notice will indicate
MANDATORY court appearance.
The following infraction
charges require a mandatory appearance.
- 22348(b) VC - Speed
greater than 100 mph
- 23140(a) VC - Person
under 21 years old driving with Blood Alcohol Content of .05 or more
- 12280(b) VC -
Possession of assault weapon (as infraction)
If your case requires a
mandatory appearance, you cannot pay your fine without first appearing in
court for arraignment.
PROOF OF CORRECTIONS
Obtaining Proof of Correction
If your citation includes mechanical, registration, or license
violations your fine will be reduced if you provide proof of correction
on or before the due date. Proof of correction may be obtained at any
law enforcement office during normal business hours. If you do not
provide proof of correction, you will be required to pay the full fine
amount
of your citation.
Proof received after the fine is paid will not be eligible for a
reduction.
If you have a correctable violation and are submitting proof of
correction to the court, you must submit $25.00 for each corrected
violation.
If you were cited for failure to provide proof of insurance or financial
responsibility pursuant to 16028(a) of the Vehicle Code and you did not
have insurance on the date of the violation you will be required to pay
the full fine amount. If you obtain proof of insurance after the date
of violation, the court will reduce your fine amount.
If you had proof of insurance at the time the citation was issued, but
were unable to provide proof to the officer who cited you, the violation
is dismissible with proof of insurance and a $25.00 correction fee.
You may submit a copy of your insurance policy with payment to any
Riverside Superior Court Location in person or by mail. Proof of
insurance must include all of the following information:
-
Name
of insurance carrier
-
Policy
number
-
Effective dates of coverage showing insurance coverage at the time you
were cited and include the expiration date
-
Name
of person who received the citation and/or the vehicle listed on the
citation
To pay by mail send a check or money order to the
following locations:
Payment Processing Center, payable to Riverside Superior Court, at 505
S. Buena Vista, Corona CA, 92882.
Indio Court,
payable to Riverside Superior Court at
46-200 Oasis Street
Indio, Ca. 92201
Fraudulent or altered
documentation may be referred to the Office of the District Attorney for a
full investigation and possible criminal prosecution.
Vehicle Registration
If you were cited for a
Registration Violation (Vehicle Code section 4000(a)1, you may obtain
proof of valid registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Department of Motor Vehicles may sign off the back of your ticket or
courtesy notice or you may show proof of a 'Validated Registration.'
The clerk will not accept proof of registration that indicates 'Report of
Deposit of Fees.' You may submit proof with a $25.00 correction fee.
Payment must be made in full if proof is not shown.
JUVENILE TRAFFIC
CITATIONS
The traffic division
processes juvenile cases involving only infractions.
You may pay a traffic infraction by
telephone,
online, or in person
unless the citation indicates it is a mandatory appearance. If a
mandatory appearance is required minors must be accompanied by a parent or
legal guardian.
All other cases, including non-traffic misdemeanor charges are processed
at Juvenile Court.
PARKING CITATIONS
Parking citations are no
longer handled by the Superior Court. Each issuing city or agency
now processes its own parking citations. Contact the city or agency
that issued the parking citation for information.
The court conducts
hearings on appeal if you contest an administrative decision of the
parking agency.
Contesting a Parking
Citation
If you wish to contest a decision made by the parking agency, you may
file an appeal with
the
court. The following criteria must be met before submitting an
appeal on a parking citation:
-
An administrative review
was conducted parking
agency
-
A
decision by the administrative review was completed
-
The appeal was submitted within 30 days of the administrative
decision
You
must submit the following information to the court in order to file an
appeal:
Upon
filing the Notice of Appeal, the matter will be set for Trial de Novo.
The date, day, and time of the trial will be inserted on the Notice of
Appeal. The contestant must serve the Processing or the issuing Agency
(Thereafter “Agency”) with the Notice of Appeal (Vehicle. Code 40230(a),
and a proof of service – parking violations must be filed by the
contestant with the court at least 10 days before the trial date.
Upon
receiving the Notice of Appeal the agency will forward to the court its
entire file, including the Final Decision of the Examiner and the manner
and the date of service of that Decision. The agency file should be
received by the Court at least 10 days before trial.
After the Trial De Novo, the court will notify the Contestant and the
Agency of its Decision. If the agency prevails, the parking penalty
will then be retained by the Agency or if not previously collected by
the agency, will be collected by the agency (Vehicle. Code Section
40230(3). If the contestant prevails, the Agency shall promptly refund
to the Contestant the $25.00 fee for filing the Notice of Appeal,
together with any parking penalty previously deposited. (Vehicle. Code
Section 40230(b).
Note: If the contestant’s check is returned to the court uncollected,
the court will automatically dismiss the appeal and a $30.00 check
return fee will be assessed.
PAYING YOUR FINE
Paying the Fine Amount
The
fine on a citation is the amount of money required to guarantee your
appearance in Court. If you choose to pay the fine on the citation
without going to trial, the citation is deemed
paid, and the resulting violation will be reported to DMV if the
violation is reportable.
Payment Due Date
Your
citation or courtesy notice will provide you with a date and time to
appear and/or pay your fine. If you are unsure of the due date, you
may search the court records online
or you may appear in person at any
court location within 30-60 days of
the date of your citation.
Methods for Paying a Citation
You may
use the following methods to pay your traffic citation:
-
Automated phone system:
Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover.
-
Internet - Epay-It
: Visa, MasterCard, American
Express or Discover.
-
By
mail - check, money order, or credit card. Make checks payable to
the 'Riverside Superior Court.' Write your citation number on the check
or money order. If paying by Visa, MasterCard, American Express,
or Discover complete
the form on the back of your courtesy notice.
Payments can be mailed to:
|
Riverside and Outlying Areas: |
Desert
Area: |
Payment
Processing Center
505 S. Buena Vista
Corona, Ca. 92882 |
Riverside
County Superior Court
46-200 Oasis St.
Indio, Ca. 92201 |
DELINQUENT FINES
License Suspension
If
you fail to appear or fail to pay a fine as ordered, a
civil assessment will be added and a DMV hold on your driver’s
license or a DMV hold will be placed on your driver’s license and/or
vehicle registration. You may also be subject to civil penalties
per
1214 PC, which include wage garnishment and/or tax interception,
and an additional penalty of $300.00.
Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV) Abstract
When a traffic citation is
cleared, the court notifies DMV within 5 days to remove the hold from
your license.
Note: Abstract Release
will not be issued on a failure to pay a fine until the fine is paid in
full.
TRAFFIC SCHOOL
Eligibility
You may
choose to attend Traffic School for certain vehicle violations. To be
eligible for Traffic School you must meet the following
criteria:
-
You have not attended
traffic school for a citation issued within the last 18 months from the
violation date.
-
Your citation is for a moving vehicle code violation and does not exceed 25
mph over the speed limit.
-
You
do not hold a commercial drivers license.
- If
your case involves a failure to appear, the failure to appear charge must be
addressed or paid in full before you can attend traffic school.
-
Your
citation must be a moving violation and does not have a misdemeanor charge that
requires a mandatory appearance in court.
-
Your citation does not involve alcohol or drugs.
-
Your citation is not for Vehicle Code sections 22406.5 or 21655.5
-
Speed
may not exceed 25 mph over the speed limit.
Your citation does not have a point count of more than one point under
Vehicle Code section 12810 or more than one and one-half points under
Vehicle Code Section 12810 or.5 (b)(2).
If you
do not meet the above requirements, the clerk cannot grant
traffic school and you must make your request to a judicial officer. If
you are allowed to attend traffic school more than once in an 18-month
period, the dismissal will still appear on your driving record.
WARNING: If you are not eligible to attend, but do so anyway, the
conviction will be reported on your driving record and there will be no
refund of any fees paid.
Failure to Complete
Traffic School
Failure to complete
traffic school by the due date will result in a forfeiture of your fees
and a conviction will be reported to the DMV. There will be no
further proceedings in the case.
Requesting Traffic School
Mail a
check or money order to either of the following:
|
Payment Processing Center
505. Buena Vista
Corona, Ca. 92882 |
Riverside
County Superior
Court
46-200 Oasis St.
Indio, Ca. 92201 |
You can also request
traffic school by telephone.
You must have your citation number and credit card available.
If you sign up by phone or
through the mail, a list of traffic schools will be mailed to you or you
may use the lists below:
Approved Traffic
Schools Recognized by DMV
Additional Riverside County Approved Traffic Schools/Home Studies
NIGHT COURT INFORMATION
The Superior Court of
California, County of Riverside offers night court as a service and
convenience to our public at the following locations. You may bring your
traffic infractions and Small Claim to be heard at night court.
|
COURT |
NIGHT COURT |
|
Blythe
265 N Broadway
Blythe, CA 92225
760.921.5900 |
1st
Wednesday of the month
Traffic infractions only.
Check in
at 3:30 PM |
|
Indio
46200 Oasis
Indio, Ca. 92201
760.775.0300 |
1st
Tuesday of the month
Check in until 5:00 PM |
|
Moreno
Valley
13800 Heacock St. Bldg D #201
Moreno Valley, Ca. 92553
951.955.9422 |
1st Tuesday of the
month
Check in until 5:30 PM |
HOW TO REQUEST COPIES
The
court encourages parties to conduct their own records search through the court’s
Public Access system.
For detailed instructions on performing a records
search and to log on to Public Access
click here.
Instruction can also be obtained from the clerk’s office.
If court staff is
asked to complete a records search and the search takes more than 10
minutes, a fee of $15.00 will be accessed pursuant to Government Code
section 70627(c) for each search conducted.
The
fee for copies is $.50 per page and if certification is requested, an
additional $25.00 per document will be accessed.
Requests for records searches, copies, or certification may be made in
person or by mail. If the request is made by mail, complete the
Request for Records
Search and/or Copies form and submit a check payable
to the ‘Riverside Superior Court.’ DO NOT SEND CASH. If the total amount
owing is unknown, indicate under the amount line ‘not to exceed $45.00.’
The correct amount will be filled in and a receipt will be forwarded
along with the requested copies. All checks must be preprinted with the
maker’s name and address. Copy orders are filled within 7-10 working
days.
Please
include a self-addressed, tamped envelope large enough to accommodate the
requested documents.
FORMS/FEES
MORE INFORMATION
Other Helpful Websites:
About Red Light Camera
Citations
Red light camera citations
are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle that is on file with the
Department of Motor Vehicles. The citations are issued by the law
enforcement agencies and are mailed to you.
The law enforcement agency
will assign your court date at the time the citation is issued. When
the court receives their copy, they will mail a courtesy notice to the
address listed on the citation. If you do not receive a notice in
the mail, you must appear or pay the fine by the date listed on the bottom
of your citation. If you were not the driver, follow the directions
located on the back of the citation. You do not need to anything
further. However, if you wish to inquire on the status of the
citation, you may check by searching the
court records.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What proof can I
submit for willful failure to appear?
Proof can include but is
not limited to the following:
- Military duty orders
- Jail incarceration
(Sheriff's booking or jail release papers)
- Medical
incapacitation (medical excuse from a doctor or hospital)
- If I have failed to
pay my fine, what are the alternatives to take care of my case?
A warrant may be issued,
a civil assessment with an additional amount added to your fine and/or a
DMV hold may be placed on your DMV record. You must pay the fine
plus the additional fees in order for the DMV hold to be lifted.
- Are there any
alternatives to making fine payments?
Yes. You may request
community service through alternative sentencing. There will be a
fee of $90.00 payable to the alternative sentencing program.
- Can I get insurance
if I don't own a car?
You
are eligible for insurance if you are a licensed driver. Contact an
insurance agent to determine what type of insurance coverage is
available.
-
How long is an out-of-state driver’s
license effective and does it matter if I am a student or in the
military?
An
out-of-state driver's license is valid until expiration or until you
become a resident of California. Evidence of California residency
includes the following:
- Employment in the
state
- A California address
where you are registered to vote
- A California
homeowner's tax exemption filing
- Resident tuition
payment at a California college or university
- Can I appear in
court for a relative?
You
can provide the court with documentation, which informs the court as to
why an appearance cannot be made. The court has discretion whether or
not to accept the excuse and set a new date.
- I got a ticket that
really belongs to someone else. How do I clear it?
If
you believe that you have received a citation or notice from the court
in error because someone else used your name or other identification,
you should personally go to the court with your photo identification and
request to appear in court. Click here for
court days and times.
- Can I get a license
in another state if my license is suspended in California and I move out
of state?
California and all other states participate in the” problem driver
pointer system” (PDPS). When you apply for a driver’s license in another
state, the system alerts them to any action against your driver’s
license in other states. It is up to the state where you have applied to
issue you one of its licenses. They may not issue you a license until
the action is cleared. You must contact other states for specific rules
pertaining to that state.
The
court will mail a courtesy notice to you at the address shown on your
ticket. The notice will contain court date information. If the address
on your ticket is incorrect, or you don’t receive a courtesy notice, you
are still responsible for contacting the court by the due date.
-
Why is there a $25 fee for each
correctable violation when the officer said there would be no fee?
The
$25 fee for each correctable violation is statutory (Vehicle Code section 40611)
for all correctable violations.
- Am I responsible for
an equipment violation on a car I am driving that is not mine?
Yes, unless the ticket
is issued in the name of the registered owner of the vehicle you are
driving.
- What if I have sold
the car that was cited for an equipment violation or it is inoperable?
If
you have sold the car or it has become inoperable, you must set a court
date to appear and provide proof of sale or inoperability to clear the
ticket. You should support your case with any relevant paperwork.
- What time will I be
on calendar for my traffic ticket?
Traffic citations are not automatically on the court's calendar. You
must report to the clerk's office on or before your appearance date, and
no later than the designated time to
have your case placed on calendar that same day. (Click here for
court locations)
- What if I disagree
with the ticket the officer wrote, what can I do?
You have two options
available to you, if the citation is an infraction that does not require
a mandatory court appearance:
- You can post the fine
amount and request a trial by declaration. The trial by
declaration is a method of contesting your case without making a court
appearance. You and the officer will submit a written statement
of the facts of the case. A judge or commissioner will review
the declarations and make a decision on the case.
- You can request a
court trial by mail or in person. The clerk's office must
receive a written statement that you wish to plead not guilty.
You will be required to post the total amount of bail owed on your
case if you are requesting a court trial by mail.
For more information
regarding requesting a court trial or written trial by declaration,
click here.
- By completing
traffic school, will the ticket be taken off my driving record?
No, the violation
remains on your driving record for the Department of Motor Vehicles and
the courts review. However, the DMV will suppress this information
from your insurance company.
- Can I make payments
on my ticket?
Yes.
You must enter a plea of guilty and the clerk's office will refer you to
the Enhanced
Collections Division to make payment arrangements. You will
be assessed a $50.00 administrative fee for this service. You will be
required to sign a contract agreeing to the payment schedule. This is
the same arrangement that will be received by an individual who is
placed on calendar to request payments. The clerk's office will be able
to quickly process your case for payments without the need to spend the
entire morning or afternoon in court to achieve the same result.
|
