Simi Valley Traffic Court
Traffic citations issued in Simi Valley get processed through Ventura County Superior Court. The city does not have its own traffic court. All tickets within Simi Valley go to the county system. Ventura County operates an East County location that serves Simi Valley. The office opens Monday and Tuesday only. Limited hours mean you should plan ahead if you need in person service. Most traffic matters can be handled online or by mail. You can pay fines, request traffic school, and search cases through the county court website. Night court is available once per month by reservation for those who cannot attend during regular business hours.
Simi Valley Traffic Court Quick Facts
Ventura County Processes Simi Valley Tickets
Ventura County Superior Court has jurisdiction over all traffic violations in Simi Valley. When you get a ticket here, it goes to the county for processing. The clerk enters it into the case management system. This takes time. Your case will not show up online immediately in California.
The main Hall of Justice sits at 800 South Victoria Avenue in Ventura. Phone number is 805-289-8545. The East County location serves Simi Valley at 3855-F Alamo Street. This office only opens on Monday and Tuesday. Plan accordingly if you need in person service in Ventura County.
The court sends a courtesy notice before your deadline. This notice shows the bail amount and your options. It tells you if traffic school is available. Not all violations qualify for school. Read the notice carefully to understand what applies to your case in California.
Visit ventura.courts.ca.gov for information about traffic court in Ventura County. The website has details about all services and locations.
Traffic Court Schedule
Traffic court in Ventura operates on a set schedule. At the main Ventura location, court sessions run on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at one thirty in the afternoon. In Simi Valley, traffic court runs on Tuesdays only at the East County location in California.
Night court happens on the second Thursday of each month. You must make a reservation to attend night court. This option helps people who work during regular court hours. Contact the court to reserve your spot for night court in Ventura County.
If you need to appear for a hearing, confirm the date, time, and location on your paperwork. Showing up at the wrong place or time causes problems. The court cannot help you if you miss your scheduled appearance in California.
Search Simi Valley Traffic Cases
Ventura County provides online case access through their portal at secured.countyofventura.org. You can search by name or case number. Basic information is free to view. Some documents may require payment to download in California.
Allow several weeks after your citation date before searching online. The court needs time to receive and process new tickets from law enforcement. If you search too soon, you will not find anything. Wait longer then try again. Or call the court to ask about your case status in Ventura County.
The court keeps traffic infraction records for three years. Misdemeanor traffic cases stay on file for five years. DUI records remain for ten years. After these time periods, the court may destroy old files. Contact the clerk if you need information about an older case in California.
Paying Traffic Fines
Pay online through the court portal. Credit and debit cards are accepted. You can also pay by mail. Send a check or money order to the address on your courtesy notice. Write your case number on the payment. This helps the clerk apply it to the right case in Ventura County.
If you cannot afford the full amount, payment plans are available. The court reviews your income and expenses. They set monthly installments based on what you can pay. Contact the court to discuss payment plan options. Staff will explain the process and requirements in California.
Ventura County 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 financial situation. Qualifying residents may get fine reductions in California.
Traffic School Options
Traffic school keeps a conviction off your DMV record. Insurance companies cannot see it. This prevents rate increases. You must meet eligibility requirements in California.
You cannot have attended school for another ticket in the past eighteen months. The violation must be a one point offense. You cannot have been driving 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 Ventura County.
Request traffic school before your deadline. Pay the full bail amount plus court fees. Then pick a DMV approved school. Most people choose 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 in California.
Court Records and Document Fees
Copies of court documents cost fifty cents per page. Certification costs forty dollars plus the copy fee. This gives you an official stamped copy for legal purposes. Record searches cost fifteen dollars per name. The maximum is fifteen names per search request in Ventura County.
If you need to file a traffic appeal, there is no filing fee. This is different from other case types. Traffic appeals do not require payment to file. Check with the clerk about appeal procedures and deadlines in California.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Missing your deadline causes 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 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 Ventura County.
If you missed the deadline for a good reason, contact the court immediately. Explain your situation. Illness, emergency, or other valid reasons may qualify as good cause. The court might reduce some penalties if you act quickly. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to resolve in California.
Juvenile Traffic Cases
If a minor receives a traffic citation, the case may go through the juvenile system. Ventura County handles juvenile traffic matters at 4353 East Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard. This is separate from adult traffic court. Contact the juvenile division for information about cases involving minors in California.
Other Cities in Ventura County
Simi Valley is the largest city in Ventura County. Other cities also use the Superior Court for traffic cases. Major cities in nearby counties include:
Ventura County Superior Court
For complete information about traffic court in Ventura County, including all courthouse locations, detailed fees, and procedures, visit the county traffic court page: