Monterey Traffic Court Cases

Monterey County Superior Court handles all traffic violations through its Marina Traffic Court location. This courthouse processes citations from all areas of the county including Salinas, Monterey, Carmel, and the coastal region. You can resolve most traffic matters without appearing in court. Pay fines, request traffic school, or schedule hearings by phone or online. The court offers night court once a month for people who cannot come during regular hours. Processing takes a minimum of ten days after citation issuance but often takes longer. Allow four to six weeks for your ticket to appear in the system in Monterey County California.

Marina Traffic Court Information

The traffic court address is 3180 Del Monte Boulevard in Marina. The zip is 93933. Phone number is eight three one eight eight three five three zero zero. Office hours are eight to four on weekdays. The court closes from noon to one for lunch. If you mail payments or documents, use PO Box 2010, Marina CA 93933-8910 as the mailing address instead of the street address in Monterey County.

Night court meets on the last Monday of every month at the Marina Division. This provides an option for people who work during the day. Check the court website or call to confirm the night court schedule. Hours and dates can change. You may need to schedule your appearance in advance rather than just showing up in California.

The official Monterey County Superior Court website at monterey.courts.ca.gov has a dedicated traffic division page. This section provides information about procedures, fees, and options for resolving your case. You can find forms to download and links to online payment services. The court explains your rights and what to expect at each stage of the process.

Red light camera citations in Monterey County are handled through a separate system. Visit violationinfo.com or call 1-866-790-4111 for assistance with red light camera tickets. These citations have different procedures than regular traffic stops in California.

Search Traffic Cases Online

Monterey County provides online case access through its court portal. Visit the court website and look for the online case search link. Enter your citation number to pull up your case. The system shows your charges, total due, and deadline to respond. It also tells you if you qualify for traffic school based on your violation and history.

Records processing takes a minimum of ten days according to the court. But most citations take longer to appear in the system. Wait at least thirty days from when you got your ticket before trying to search. If more than two months have passed and your case still does not show up, call the court to check the status in Monterey County California.

The online portal lets you make payments around the clock. You can pay by credit card or electronic check. A convenience fee applies to online transactions. You can also request traffic school and extensions through the portal. Follow the prompts and keep your confirmation number after completing any transaction in California.

Traffic Fine Amounts and Payment Options

Monterey County uses the statewide uniform bail schedule. Base fines are set by the Judicial Council. Many fees then get added to the base. Court operations fees, state penalty assessments, and county charges all stack up. A simple speeding ticket often costs two to four hundred dollars total after all fees in Monterey County.

Traffic school costs fifty two dollars as a court administrative fee. You also pay the full bail amount listed on your citation. Then you pay the traffic school provider. Most online schools charge between twenty and sixty dollars. Your total cost can reach five hundred dollars or more depending on your violation. But many people choose this option to keep points off their DMV record and prevent insurance rate increases in California.

Proof of correction applies to fix it tickets. You pay twenty five dollars per correctable violation if you show you fixed the problem. Common examples include proof of insurance, valid registration, or repaired equipment. Submit your proof to the court along with the fee. The court dismisses the violation once they verify you corrected the issue in Monterey County.

Payment plans are available if you need more time. Contact the court before your deadline to set one up. They review your financial situation and set monthly payments you can handle. A setup fee may apply. Make every payment on time to avoid default. Missing payments can result in additional penalties and license suspension in California.

If you cannot afford to pay, look into the ability to pay program. This statewide program can reduce fines based on income. You may qualify if you receive public benefits or earn below certain levels. Visit mycitations.courts.ca.gov to apply online. The court reviews your application and notifies you if you qualify for a reduction or alternative like community service in Monterey County.

Traffic School Eligibility

Most one point violations can use traffic school in Monterey County. Your courtesy notice indicates if you qualify. Request traffic school before your appearance deadline. After that date you lose the option. California law limits traffic school to once every eighteen months. If you attended for another ticket in the past eighteen months, you cannot use it again.

Some violations never qualify for traffic school. Speeding more than twenty five miles per hour over the posted limit does not qualify. Any violation involving alcohol or drugs cannot use traffic school. Reckless driving, commercial vehicle violations, and driving on a suspended license also do not qualify. The court makes the final determination on eligibility in California.

After the court approves your request, choose a school from the DMV approved list. Visit the California DMV website to find licensed traffic schools. Most people select online schools for convenience. You have sixty days to complete the course after approval. The school sends your completion certificate directly to the court. The court then reports it to DMV as a confidential conviction in Monterey County.

Cities in Monterey County

All traffic tickets issued in Monterey County cities go to the Marina Traffic Court. No city operates its own traffic court in California. The county court handles tickets from these areas:

Salinas | Monterey | Carmel | Seaside | Pacific Grove | Marina | King City | Gonzales | Soledad | Greenfield

Adjacent California Counties

Traffic citations issued outside Monterey County must be handled by that county court. Check these nearby counties:

San Benito County | Santa Cruz County | San Luis Obispo County