I got a speeding ticket, Do i have to go to court? how much will the fine be?

Question

I recently got a speeding ticket in CA. I was going 79 on a 55 area. This is my first ticket so I don't really know what to do. Approximately how much is the fine going to be?

Also the officer wrote a time and date im suppose to go to court. Do i have to go?

Will i also have the opportunity to go to traffic school?

I just need all the information i can get. Oh and i am currently 18.

Answer 1

dude, you don't have to go to court. if you don't want to go to court you just have to pay the ticket before the court date. or you can go to court plead guilty and take defensive driving to take the ticket off your record and a part of the fine, or plead non guilty. You can also get a lawyer to go to court with you on a different date and he/she will defend you and try to get the ticket off your record. The best way is just to pay the ticket and get it over with because otherwise you will be going to court periodically to defend your case and it will be a *****!

The fine depends from state to state, but it should be written on the back of the ticket or in front of it!

Answer 2

They will send you a letter in the mail and you can either pay the bail (this means that you plead guilty--probably about $150--and you don't have to go to court) or you can check a box that says not guilty.  If you plead not guilty then it has the court date and time that you are to appear.  If you have any questions on the procedure, there is a number on the letter to the courthouse you can call for any clarification.  It should say on the letter whether or not you can go to driving school (I've done mine online)--I'm guessing you should be able to.  If that's the case, then you tell them you are taking the driving course, you don't have to pay the bail, but you do pay for the class which is about $150 as well.  If you don't receive anything before the court date make sure YOU call them so you don't get into any trouble.

Answer 3

If you plead guilty and send the ticket you will be billed. If not you can go to court. Somewhere between your giving the information about traffic school. However traffic school is voluntary and after you clear the ticket matter up.

Answer 4

Stop speeding and you won't have to worry about those things.