Criminal / Traffic Information

If you received a traffic ticket, a Reminder Notice will be mailed to you at the address on your ticket in approximately two weeks from the date you received your traffic ticket. The Reminder Notice will include your case balance, options and your due date.

• To Pay by Debit/Credit Card: You can pay the fine amount with a debit/credit card by visiting our Traffic Payment page. A convenience fee will be added to your fine when paying by debit/credit card on our web site. Our web site is available 24 hours a day.
• To Pay by Mail: You can pay the fine amount by mailing a check or money order made out to Ventura Superior Court in the envelope provided with your Reminder Notice. Please do not mail cash. If you pay by mail, please include the full amount due and include proof of corrections if applicable.
• To Pay in Person: Payments can be made in person at the Government Center, Hall of Justice in Ventura, the Juvenile Courthouse in Oxnard, or at the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley during regular office hours as listed above. You can make a payment without entering the courthouse at the Hall of Justice or the East County Courthouse during the hours listed above. Court locations are not open on holidays. Payments accepted are cash, check, money order and credit card.
• To Request Monthly Payments: See the MyCitations page for further information.

• Clearing Correctable Citations: If you receive a citation with a correctable violation, proof of correction can be obtained by having an authorized representative of the issuing agency fill out the Certificate of Correction located on the reverse side of your citation. Proof of insurance for VC 16028(a) violations must be submitted to the Court. Pollution Control Device violations must be certified by a smog check station licensed by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. Registration and/or driver's license violations may be certified by a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) clerk. Your Reminder Notice will contain the correct amount of money you must pay along with your proof of corrections.
• Extensions on Traffic Citations: You may obtain a 28-day extension on this web site or at any court location.

• Juvenile Misdemeanor Traffic Citations: If your citation was marked "to be notified", you will receive a notice by mail giving you a court date and time. A parent or guardian will be required to appear with you and you must bring one parent or guardian. Failure to appear could result in a hold being placed on your driver's license. If a hold has been placed on your driver's record, this citation requires your appearance at the Juvenile Courthouse in Oxnard, and you must bring one parent or guardian.

  Non-infraction traffic juvenile matters are confidential. Information cannot be given out over the telephone or via e-mail. You (the minor or parent) must appear in Room 122 of the Juvenile Courthouse and show a photo identification before any information regarding the minor's case can be given. The Juvenile Courthouse is located at 4353 E. Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard.

• Traffic Appeals: In an appeal, a higher court reviews the order or judgment of a lower court. Any party may appeal from a decision based upon whether there was enough evidence to support the judgment or whether errors of law were committed during or before trial which harmed the appealing party.

  On a decision in a limited jurisdiction case, the NOTICE OF APPEAL (Infraction) must be filed within 30 days of the entry of judgment.

  There is no fee for filing an appeal on a traffic case. A packet titled Information on Appeal Procedures for Infractions is available in room 208 in the Clerk's office.

• Parking Appeals: City and county parking citations you may file a Notice of Appeal with the Ventura Superior Court after receiving the final decision of the issuing or processing agency using form Notice of Appeal - Parking (Local Form VN225). This appeal must be filed within 30 days after the mailing of the final decision of the issuing agency. You must pay a $25 filing fee to the court as outlined in Section 40230 of the California Vehicle Code.

Pursuant to Vehicle Code section 16028(a), every person who drives a motor vehicle upon a highway shall provide evidence of financial responsibility (insurance) for their vehicle at all times and provide it to any peace officer upon demand.

Refer to your Reminder Notice for amount due with or without proof of correction if eligible. 

Ventura Courthouse: Traffic Court is held Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, at 1:30 PM. Traffic arraignments can be scheduled on or before your citation due date. To schedule your case for an appearance in court, contact the clerk’s office at 805-289-8545 or visit the walkup window.

Simi Courthouse: Traffic Court is held Tuesdays. Traffic arraignments can be scheduled on or before your citation due date. To schedule your case for an appearance in court, contact the clerk’s office at 805-289-8545 or visit the walkup window.

You must appear in court on or before your due date if your Reminder Notice indicates that a MANDATORY APPEARANCE is required or if you would like to contest the citation.

Night court is available for infraction violations on the second Thursday of each month in the Ventura Courthouse. A reservation for night court is required by calling (805) 289-8545.

California Rule of Court 4.105 provides that courts must allow defendants in traffic infraction cases to appear as promised for arraignment and without prior deposit of bail unless certain exceptions apply.

If you wish to contest your citation, you may enter a not guilty plea by mail or by appearing at the clerk's office. The violation must be an infraction that does not require a mandatory appearance. Court trials for west county jurisdiction cases are held at the Juvenile Courthouse in Oxnard. Court Trials for east county jurisdiction cases are held at the East County Courthouse in Simi Valley on Tuesdays. You or your attorney must appear at the court trial. The officer who issued the citation will also be present at the court trial.

If you wish to plead not guilty by mail, the total amount of bail owed on your case along with a Written Not Guilty Form is required. Total case amount will be contained on your reminder notice. You may also contact the clerk's office at (805) 289-8545 to request a Written Not Guilty Plea form be mailed to you.

If you wish to have your case considered on the basis of a written statement rather than a court appearance, the clerk's office must receive:

• A "Request for Trial by Written Declaration" form signed by you. (State Form TR-205)
• Deposit of the total amount of bail owed on your case. This amount will appear on the declaration form and is also contained in your reminder notice.
• The written declaration of the facts of the case. This area is on the reverse side of the Trial by Written Declaration form. Please contact the clerk's office at (805) 289-8545 to have a declaration form sent to you.

The officer who issued the citation will also be requested to submit a statement of the facts. You will be notified of the judge's decision by mail within 45 days. If you disagree with the decision of the court, you must file a Request for New Trial within 20 days after the date the court's decision was mailed to you.

To clear a DMV hold, you can pay by mail, debit/credit card by visiting our Traffic Payment page, or in person at any court location during regular business hours.

Click on the link below to find information regarding the traffic school process and lists of authorized traffic schools.

Traffic School Information

If the citation was mechanical in nature, issued to the driver, and the company that owns the vehicle wants to assume responsibility, please mail in the amount of the citation (as noted on the Reminder Notice) and have the company send a request to assume responsibility on company letterhead stationery.

If you have a financial hardship that prevents you from paying for your household's basic needs (i.e., food, clothing and shelter) and the full amount of your traffic ticket, you may ask the court to consider your ability to pay. If you qualify, the court may reduce the amount you owe. Below are the ways in which you may request an ability to pay determination:

1. Make a request online with the Ability to Pay tool found here.

2. File or mail a written request to the Court. Click here for forms TR-320 and TR-321.

You should receive a decision to your request within 30 days.