Los Angeles Superior Court website is not showing my traffic citation, should I ignore it?

Question

Good morning everyone,

I received a citation exactly 23 days ago. On the lasuperiorcourt.org website, there's a disclaimer that some citations may take up to 21 days to show up before one is able to process them. Now, I've received 2 other traffic citations in the past, and they've both appeared on the site the next day, if not within hours of receiving them. If it looks like it's not in the system, should I be concerned at all? Could it have been lost/ destroyed? Can I use this as an excuse if this comes back to bite me in the butt in the future? I appreciate any, and all, CONSTRUCTIVE input. Thanks again! =P

Answer 1

You received the citation.  A piece of paper that was given to you, personally.  That's your notice.  The website does not matter and you cannot use it as a defense.  Take care of your ticket or a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Answer 2

No, don't assume the ticket is lost or try to use this as a reason to ignore it.  It'll show up eventually.  I am in L.A. also, and I got a ticket a while back and it took a LONG time to show up online and in the phone system.  Way longer than the 21 days.  Eventually it did show up and I got a bill.

Answer 3

There should be a court date on your ticket.  Show up on (or before) that day to address the ticket.  If it's not in the Court's system, the clerk will give you something that shows you were at the Clerk's Office trying to take care of it.  Keep that for your records.  To answer your question though, yes, it could have been lost, or maybe the officer made an error on the ticket and it was sent back to the issuing agency.