Traffic and Infractions

Generally within 6 - 8 weeks after receiving a citation, the court may mail you a "Courtesy Bail Notice" which will include:

• The bail amount for the citation
• The due date when payment must be made
• Eligibility criteria for Traffic School
• Information on clearing a "fix-it" violation with Proof of Correction
• Where and when to report if you would like to appear in court.

You must take action (i.e.: pay fine, appear in court) on or before the due date listed. If you do not get a Courtesy Bail Notice by the date written at the bottom of your ticket, you can check for your case via the payment portal or contact the court.

You can not take care of your citation until it is in the court's system.

It is your responsibility to take care of the citation by the due date.

Online: Visit our payment portal to find your case in our system and pay via credit card.

Mail a Check: You can mail check, money order or cashier’s check to the court. NEVER mail cash.

Pay in Person: Cash payments, along with card and check, are accepted at the Courthouse.

Request a fine reduction: If you cannot afford to pay the full amount of a fine for an infraction offense (including most traffic tickets), you may ask the court to reduce the amount you owe.

Please note that if you do not act by the date on your citation and reminder notice, the court may add an additional fee of up to $100. If your case is currently in collections and you cannot afford to pay your debt, you may still request a fine reduction.

In addition to requesting a fine reduction, you can request:

• a payment plan,
• more time to pay, or
• ask to complete community service instead of paying fines and fees. 

Fines and fees owed from a misdemeanor or felony offense are not eligible to request a reduction.

Request Fine Reduction Now

Do not use the online tool if you want to:

1. Contest the citation
2. Attend traffic school
3. Get a dismissal or reduction of charges with proof of correction

To request a fine reduction by mail, use form TR-320/CR320  - Can't Afford to Pay Fine: Traffic and Other Infractions. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to attend Traffic School so your ticket does not effect your on-going insurance rates. Traffic School is an optional program.  

Request Traffic School: Visit the court's payment portal, select the Traffic School option when prompted and complete your payment. Once the Court receives payment, you will be given ninety (90) days to complete Traffic School. You may also visit the court to request Traffic School. Note: if the Traffic School option is not present online, your citation is not eligible for Traffic School.

Choose your Traffic School: Traffic schools are independent of the court and will charge you a separate tuition fee. Find an approved DMV Licensed Traffic School here. Questions concerning the costs, hours, or locations must be directed to the school you choose to attend.

Provide Proof of Completion: When you complete an on-line course, the school will automatically send us your certificate of completion. If you take the class in-person, you will need to send the original copy of the certificate to the court by the due date. If you fail to do so, the citation will be added to your driving record with the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Am I eligible for Traffic School?

If you answer yes to all the following questions, you are eligible for Traffic School:

• Do you have a valid driver's license?
• Were you driving a non-commercial vehicle at the time of the citation?
• Do you have no Traffic School attendance in the last 18 months?
• Does your Courtesy Notice state that your violations are eligible for Traffic School?
• Is today's before your pay or appear date on your citation?

Some citations require you to appear in court and do not allow you to pay online. Your Courtesy Bail Notice will advise you whether or not your appearance is mandatory.

A Mandatory Appearance means you must appear at the designated courthouse on the date and time noted on your citation.

If your appearance is not required, you have the right to appear in court before the judge. You will be asked to enter a plea of Not Guilty or No Contest, and a Court Trial date will be set in the future. If you would like to request a Court Trial online, you may do so on the court's payment portal prior to your first court appearance date. 

As a defendant you have the following constitutional and statutory rights:

• To be informed of the charges against you in open court.
• To be represented by a lawyer.
• In infraction matters, you are not entitled to a court appointed lawyer, however you may hire your own lawyer.
• In misdemeanor matters, you may hire your own lawyer or if you cannot afford a lawyer, the court may appoint one for you at no initial cost. (However, the court may order reimbursement of costs according to your ability to pay.)
• To a speedy and public trial within 45 days of arraignment, or a court trial in infraction cases.
• To confront and cross-examine the witnesses against you.
• To put on a defense and as part of that defense to testify in your own behalf and to obtain a document (a subpoena) to compel witnesses to appear without expense to you.
• To remain silent and not to be called as a witness during your own court proceeding.
• To a court or jury trial in misdemeanor cases.
• To appeal if you are found guilty at a trial, provided you file your notice of appeal within 30 days and follow other court rules.

For Notice to Appear Date: If you are unable to come to court on the date specified on your citation and Courtesy Notice, the Clerk's Office may give a one-time 30 day due date extension. Extensions cannot be given after your due date. Contact the court to request an extension.

For Court Trial Date that is 15 or more days in advance: If you are unable to come to court on your Court Trial date, you may file a Request for Postponement of Traffic Court Trial at least 15 days prior to the Court Trial hearing date and a copy must be provided to the opposing party. The request, and any objection, will be submitted to a judicial officer for review, and will be granted only for good cause. You will be notified by mail whether your request is granted or denied. You may also contact the court for status of the request.

For Court Trial Date that is less than 15 days in advance: If you are seeking a continuance of your traffic trial less than 15 days before the trial date, please contact the court.

If you have been charged with a vehicle code violation only and it is not a Mandatory Appearance, you may request an Online Trial by Written Declaration under the following conditions: 

• The due date listed on your Courtesy Notice has not passed.
• You are not required to pay your fee before completing the Online Trial by Written Declaration. 
• You have not filed an Ability to Pay Petition or any other request or motion on your Traffic case.

If you elect to proceed with an Online Trial by Written Declaration, you will waive your right to a Trial de Novo. 

Nevada Court's delinquent cases are referred to Ventura Superior Court for further collection attempts. If you receive a call from a Ventura Superior Court collector, please work with them directly to resolve the matter at (805) 477-1084.

You may still request a fine reduction or make payments online or in person at the Nevada County Superior Court if your case is in collection status.

Online: If your citation is marked as Correctable, you can provide Proof of Correction to the court online and pay required $25 per charge fee to the court online after proof is accepted.

Mail: If you mail Proof of Correction documents to the court, include a check for the $25 per charge fee.

In Person: You may present Proof of Correction to the clerk's office during business hours or to the judge at your court hearing.

Correctable charges:

• Fix It: Correct (fix) the violation and then contact any law enforcement agency to arrange for an officer to verify and sign off on the correction. Provide the documentation to the court by the due date shown on your courtesy notice.
• Registration: If you are charged with expired registration, mail a copy of your current registration, including a completed smog test, or bring your current registration to the courthouse by the due date shown on your courtesy notice.
• Driver's License: Provide a copy of your driver's license or a citation which has been signed off by the DMV or bring the documents to the courthouse by the due date shown on your courtesy notice.
• Insurance: If you are charged with no proof of insurance, provide proof that you were insured on the date of the violation by the due date shown on your courtesy notice. The court will accept a digital copy displayed on your phone. Valid proof of insurance may be any one of the following:

  • A photocopy of the official card issued by an insurance company showing name of the insurance company

  • Valid policy number with the effective (beginning and ending) dates of the policy (must have been in effect at time of violation). The name of defendant or vehicle information must match person or vehicle listed on the citation

  • A photocopy of the actual insurance policy providing all of the above information

  • A statement on insurance company letterhead providing all of the above information

Notice to Correct (CHP 281): This citation is issued by the California Highway Patrol for certain types of correctable violations. You are required to submit proof of correction(s) directly to the CHP within 30 days. Failure to comply will result in the citation being referred to the court.