Superior Court of CA – County of San Joaquin

• You may pay your fine in full online. There is a 5% processing fee when paying by credit card or a $1.00 fee if paying by electronic check.
• To pay by phone, please call (209) 235-9735. There is a 5% processing fee when paying by credit card or a $4.00 fee if paying by electronic check.
• If you choose to pay by mail. You may submit a check or money order (do not send cash) payable to the Superior Court. You may also pay using a credit card, by completing the Authorization for Credit Card Use form on the backside of your reminder notice. There is no additional processing fee by choosing this option.
• If your fine includes the option to provide proof of correction for a reduced fine, you cannot pay for your citation online or by phone.

If your citation is not past due, you may request a one-time 60-day extension on your due date by telephone, in person, or by mail. If your citation is past due, you must appear before the Judge or Commissioner for any further continuance.

If you wish to contest your citation, you must do one of the following:

• Use the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) program in lieu of appearing in person.
  ODR is an online option to possibly resolve your traffic infraction case without having to personally appear in Court. ODR is available to you 24 hours a day from your phone, tablet, or computer. Please click here for more information.
  
  If your matter is a misdemeanor violation, Fish & Game, Local County Ordinance, or Animal Code, you cannot use ODR. Please contact the traffic department for further assistance for these types of violations.
  
• Set a court date or appear on a walk-in calendar for an “arraignment”. You do not need to post bail for this option. An arraignment is where you are advised of your rights and the charges against you and you enter a plea. The citing officer will not be there. If you plead not guilty, a trial date will then be set. The officer will be subpoenaed by the court for that date and you may also present your evidence then. The court will decide if you are guilty or not guilty. You can set a court date for arraignment by contacting the court clerk at the number listed on the Home page for the branch court in which you wish to appear or by coming in-person to the traffic window of that court. You can also come to a walk-in calendar in either Lodi or Stockton branches at the times indicated below under “Walk-in Calendar Information”.
  
  Note: the walk-in calendar is currently suspended until further notice. Please contact the traffic department for further assistance.
  
• Request a court trial without an arraignment on a different day. To do this, you must pay the full “Amount Due” listed on your Courtesy Notice by the Due Date. By using this option, you are also waiving time, meaning your trial can be set more than 45 days from your payment. You can request this by mail by including a letter with your payment stating that you intend to plead not guilty and would like a court trial. Mail the payment with the letter, pay in person at any court branch, or pay online. There is a 5% fee for paying online, which will not be returned if you are found not guilty. Click here to pay online. Once your payment has been received, you will be notified of the time and place of the trial. Depending on the outcome of the trial, your payment (minus the 5% fee for paying online) will either be refunded or applied to your fines, fees, and assessments. If you are found guilty, the option to attend traffic school will be at the discretion of the judicial officer.
  
• Request a trial by written declaration. This option allows you to plead not guilty and contest your citation without appearing in court at all. This option is only available for Vehicle Code infractions of local ordinances adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code. You must pay the full “Amount Due.” You can mail the payment with your request for a trial by declaration (TR-200, TR-205), pay in person, or pay online. There is a 5% fee for paying online, which will not be returned if you are found not guilty. Click here to pay online. Once your payment has been received, the court will send you instructions and the forms to use. Depending on the outcome of the trial, your payment (minus the 5% fee for paying online) will either be refunded or applied to your fines, fees, and assessments. If you are found guilty, the option to attend traffic school will be at the discretion of the judicial officer.

You may be eligible to attend Traffic School, if you meet the following requirements:

• You have a valid California Driver’s License.
• You cannot be assigned to, nor have attended traffic school in the last 18 months.
• If charged with a speeding violation, the speed must not have been in excess of 100 m.p.h.
• If charged with a speeding violation, the speed must not have been in excess of 25 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit.
• You must be charged with an infraction, not a misdemeanor.
• The section(s) cannot require a mandatory appearance.
• If you hold a commercial driver’s license, you were not driving a commercial vehicle.
• Certain serious vehicle code violations are not eligible for traffic school.

If you meet these requirements and wish to attend Traffic School, you will be required to pay an Administrative Fee of $52 to the court, PLUS the amount of bail indicated on your courtesy notice. There will be a separate fee collected directly by the Traffic School you choose to attend. . NOTICE: If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school your automobile insurance may be adversely affected. For drivers with a noncommercial driver’s license, one conviction in any 18 month period will be held confidential and not show on your driving record if you complete a traffic violator school program. For drivers with a commercial driver’s license, one conviction in any 18-month period will show on your driving record without a violation point if you complete a traffic violator school program.

To find a classroom traffic school near you or to find a traffic school on-line, please visit: the Department of Motor Vehicles website. The traffic schools listed on the site are licensed and regulated by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The Court assumes no liability when defendants choose this option and, if traffic school is not completed; all fines and fees posted with the court will be forfeited.

Some violations are dismissed upon proof of correction with payment of an Administrative Fee. Please check your Courtesy Notice. Other violations may require additional posting of bail. Your courtesy notice will inform you what is required in your case. If your citation requires proof of correction, you must have your vehicle inspected and the citation or the back of your courtesy notice signed by any law enforcement agency or DMV office.

Note: Proof of Insurance cannot be signed off by Law Enforcement or the DMV. You must provide proof you were insured, at the time of your violation, to the Traffic Clerk’s Office. If you did not have insurance at the time of your violation, you may still be eligible for a partial fine reduction, by submitting proof you obtained insurance after the fact.

If your citation requires a mandatory appearance, you must appear on the date and time, and in the department, indicated on your Courtesy Notice. The court locations are listed on the Home Page. You must wear proper attire when appearing in court. No tank tops, shorts, or bare feet are allowed.

The walk-in calendar and use of the hearing request scheduler is currently suspended until further notice. If you are wishing to dispute your citation, you can choose to resolve your infraction matter by using the Courts new Online Dispute Resolution (ODR). Click here for more information regarding ODR. If your matter is a misdemeanor violation, Fish & Game, Local County Ordinance, or Animal Code, you cannot use ODR. Please contact the traffic department for further assistance for these types of violations.

Stockton Branch Dept 3B (180 E Weber Ave, 2nd Floor, Stockton, CA 95202):

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1:30PM (LIMITED TO 50 CUSTOMERS). Check in at 2nd Floor, between 8:00AM and 12:00PM.
• You must wear proper attire when appearing in court. No tank tops, shorts, or bare feet are allowed.

Lodi Dept. L-2 (315 W Elm St, Lodi, CA 95240):

The Lodi Branch is currently closed. Please contact the Stockton Branch for assistance.

You are able to schedule online for these walk-in calendars.  The calendar is open for a sliding two-week window.  Please visit our hearing request scheduler if interested.

If you fail to appear, as promised when you signed the traffic citation, your fine may be sent to a collection agency. Should your fine be sent to a collection agency, you may still appear in court, apply for an Ability to Pay determination, or contact the collection agency to set up a payment plan. Please contact the clerk’s office at (209) 992-5692 for further assistance.

The San Joaquin County Superior Court does not handle parking tickets. Refer to the instructions on the reverse side of your parking ticket for information regarding payment, failure to respond and contesting the ticket. If you received a parking violation and have additional questions, DO NOT call the Court. You must contact the agency listed on your parking ticket for further assistance.

Juvenile tickets cannot be paid over the phone or online. Juveniles must appear in person or send payment via U.S. mail. DO NOT send cash through the mail. Call (209) 992-5698 for information regarding juvenile citations.

San Joaquin County Superior Court Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules

• If you require additional information, fill out the online form with all of the following:
  • Name as it appears on your License
  • Date of Birth
  • Citation or Court Case number
  • Driver’s License Number
• Please allow up to three business days for a response.