Santa Clarita Traffic Records
Traffic citations issued in Santa Clarita get processed through Los Angeles County Superior Court. The city does not have its own traffic court system. All tickets within Santa Clarita city limits go to the county for handling. Los Angeles County operates the largest court system in California. They process over one million new traffic citations each year across the county. Santa Clarita cases typically go to the Antelope Valley courthouse location. You can pay fines, request traffic school, and search cases through the county court website. Most services are available online to save residents time and courthouse visits.
Santa Clarita Traffic Court Quick Facts
Los Angeles County Handles Santa Clarita Tickets
Los Angeles County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all traffic violations in Santa Clarita. This is the largest court system in California. The county has sixteen traffic locations throughout its jurisdiction. Santa Clarita cases typically get assigned to the courthouse serving the Antelope Valley region in California.
When you get a ticket in Santa Clarita, the officer sends it to the county. The clerk enters it into the court database. This process takes time. Do not expect your case to show up online right away. Allow several weeks for processing before searching for your citation in Los Angeles County.
The court sends a courtesy notice before your deadline. This notice shows the bail amount and your options. Bail is what you pay if you plead guilty or no contest. The notice also tells you if traffic school is available for your violation. Not all tickets qualify. Review the notice to understand your choices in California.
For traffic matters, visit the Los Angeles County court website at lacourt.org. The site has information about all traffic services and locations throughout the county.
Important Change for Misdemeanor Traffic Cases
After January 1, 2016, Los Angeles County changed how it handles misdemeanor traffic violations. Any citation for a misdemeanor offense now gets filed and processed in the Criminal Division. This is different from infraction traffic cases. Infractions still go through the Traffic Division. Misdemeanors require different procedures in California.
Most traffic tickets are infractions. Common examples include speeding, running a red light, or illegal turns. Misdemeanors are more serious. They include DUI, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license. Check your ticket to see if it lists an infraction or misdemeanor. This determines which division handles your case in Los Angeles County.
Search Santa Clarita Traffic Cases
Los Angeles County provides online case access through their public portal. You can search by name or case number. Name searches cost four dollars and seventy five cents per name. Basic case information appears after you pay the search fee in California.
If you need to download documents, fees apply based on document size. Documents from one to five pages cost one dollar per page. Documents with six or more pages cost forty cents per page. The maximum charge per document is forty dollars in Los Angeles County.
The online system includes felony cases from 1980 forward. Misdemeanor cases are available from 1988 to present. Traffic infraction records also appear in the system. Allow enough time after your citation date before searching. New tickets take weeks to enter the database in California.
Courthouse Serving Santa Clarita
Your citation shows which courthouse handles your case. Santa Clarita traffic cases typically go to the Antelope Valley location. This courthouse serves the northern part of Los Angeles County. Check your paperwork to confirm which location has your case in California.
If you need to appear in person, go to the correct courthouse. The wrong location cannot help with a case assigned elsewhere. Los Angeles County has sixteen traffic courthouses. Each serves specific geographic areas. Visit the county website for courthouse addresses and contact information in California.
Most people handle their traffic cases without visiting a courthouse. Online services cover payments, traffic school requests, and document access. Phone services are also available. Use these options to save time and avoid parking challenges at busy courthouse locations in Los Angeles County.
How to Pay Traffic Fines
Pay your fine online through the court website. Credit and debit cards are accepted. The court may charge a convenience fee for online payments. You can also pay by mail. Send a check or money order to the address on your notice. Write your case number on the payment in California.
If you cannot afford the full amount, ask about payment plans. The court reviews your financial situation and sets monthly installments. Another option is community service. The court assigns volunteer work. You complete hours to reduce what you owe. These programs help people who struggle with large traffic fines in Los Angeles County.
The court participates in the statewide ability to pay program. Visit mycitations.courts.ca.gov if you receive public benefits or have low income. The system asks about your finances. Qualifying residents may get fine reductions. This helps many California residents who cannot pay standard amounts.
Traffic School for Santa Clarita Tickets
Traffic school keeps a conviction off your DMV record. Insurance companies cannot see it. This prevents rate increases. You must meet eligibility requirements to use traffic school in California.
You cannot have attended school for another ticket in the past eighteen months. The violation must be a one point offense under DMV rules. You cannot have been in a commercial vehicle when cited. Speeding more than twenty five mph over the limit disqualifies you. The court notice tells you if school is available for your case in Los Angeles County.
Choose traffic school before your deadline. Pay the full bail amount plus court fees. Then pick a DMV approved school. Most people use online courses. You work at your own pace. Complete the course by the deadline. The school sends completion to the court. The court reports it to DMV as confidential. Remember you can only do this once every eighteen months in California.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Missing your deadline causes serious problems. The court adds penalties to your case. A civil assessment gets added to your balance. The DMV puts a hold on your license. You cannot renew your vehicle registration until you clear the hold in California.
The court may send your case to collections. Collection agencies add their own fees on top of what you owe. This also affects your credit rating. Avoid these consequences by responding before your deadline. Request an extension if you need more time in Los Angeles County.
If you missed the deadline for a valid reason, contact the court immediately. Explain your situation. Illness, emergency, or other good cause may help. The court might reduce some penalties. But act fast. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to fix the problem in California.
Getting Certified Copies
If you need certified copies of court documents, contact the Certification Unit. The office is located at 111 North Hill Street, Room 112C in Los Angeles. They handle certification requests for traffic and other case types. Fees apply for certified documents in California.
Other Large Cities in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County includes many cities over 100,000 population. All use the Superior Court system for traffic cases:
Los Angeles County Superior Court
For complete information about traffic court in Los Angeles County, including all sixteen courthouse locations, detailed fees, and procedures, visit the county traffic court page: