My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: CA
I was cited for a speeding violation 22350 on 2/25/2012. My court date on the ticket is 3/20/2012. I haven't received a courtesy notice. Now I know, I'm not guaranteed a "courtesy" notice so I emailed the superior court to find out what the bail amount was and here is their reply
"Good afternoon,
That citation number is not coming up in our system. When was this
citation issued to you and what were you cited for?
Bakersfield Superior Court
Traffic Division
3131 Arrow St.
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Tel.# 661-868-2382"
Now my question is, if the ticket was not processed, does that mean my ticket isn't "valid". If so what should I do next?
Ticket Not Processed in the System
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03-12-2012, 07:28 PMRaider_83Ticket Not Processed in the System
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03-12-2012, 08:10 PMThat GuyRe: Ticket Not Processed in the SystemIt typically takes a minimum of 21 days before you can make an issue of a citation not being filed. By my count, its only been 16 days!Quote:
Quoting Raider_83
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03-12-2012, 08:32 PMcdwjavaRe: Ticket Not Processed in the System
Do NOT fail to appear! No matter what they might say beforehand, you need to appear in court at the date and time indicated or you could suffer some serious consequences. Unless you receive something in writing cancelling the court appearance, you are obligated to appear. If the cite still is not on the docket, be sure to get proof of your attendance, and if possible get the name of the clerk you speak to.
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03-12-2012, 08:54 PMRaider_83Re: Ticket Not Processed in the System
So I should wait until 3/17. What should I do after that?
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03-12-2012, 08:58 PMcdwjavaRe: Ticket Not Processed in the SystemYou can keep checking, but do not miss that appearance date.Quote:
Quoting Raider_83
If the cite is still not in the system then, you get proof of your court attendance (just in case) and wait for something in the mail about a new appearance date.
However, it would benefit you to keep checking the website weekly just in case. If, for some reason, your address on the citation or with the DMV (as required) are not your current address, any future notice of a new arraignment may not get to you. -
03-12-2012, 09:02 PMRaider_83Re: Ticket Not Processed in the System
That's the problem, the website has no area to check for my citation number hence me sending them an email. I'm afraid that if I reply with the citation date and violation, they would just re-issue it. My address on the citation is correct.
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03-12-2012, 09:13 PMquirkyquarkRe: Ticket Not Processed in the System^^^^^ What Carl said.Quote:
Quoting cdwjava
Most traffic courts usually post the morning/afternoon's docket somewhere obvious, either in the main "reception" area, or on/near the courtroom door(s). Go there and see if your case is on (most probably won't). For "proof of attendance", make a copy of your citation on letter-size paper, and write below in block letters: "Present in court on 3/20/2012. Did not appear because case not on docket." Take two copies to the clerk, and INSIST they date-stamp one copy for you (they can file the other copy if they want, or throw it away, you don't care).
Edit: I just noticed you are paranoid about them re-issuing the citation ("they" -- as in the courts -- don't do that). You can try something that simply says "I, Joe Six-Pack, was present in court on 3/20/12," but I doubt they will just date-stamp that. In that case, it's better to take someone else with you who can be a witness later on, if necessary, that yes, you were present in court. -
03-12-2012, 09:39 PMPTPD22Re: Ticket Not Processed in the SystemMaybe I’m missing something, but I doubt that a speeding ticket would be processed through a county superior court. Traffic issues are normally handled by municipal or county district courts (some places even have infraction only “traffic courts”). Maybe OP has been asking the wrong court for info?Quote:
Quoting Raider_83
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03-12-2012, 09:40 PMquirkyquarkRe: Ticket Not Processed in the SystemThey were formerly handled by "municipal" courts but in 1998 they court system was unified and ALL trial courts, from infraction to felony, are now "superior" courts.Quote:
Quoting PTPD22
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03-12-2012, 10:03 PMRaider_83Re: Ticket Not Processed in the SystemI was going to file a TBD, can I still request a TBD at my court appearance if somehow my citation does show up in their docket?Quote:
^^^^^ What Carl said.
Most traffic courts usually post the morning/afternoon's docket somewhere obvious, either in the main "reception" area, or on/near the courtroom door(s). Go there and see if your case is on (most probably won't). For "proof of attendance", make a copy of your citation on letter-size paper, and write below in block letters: "Present in court on 3/20/2012. Did not appear because case not on docket." Take two copies to the clerk, and INSIST they date-stamp one copy for you (they can file the other copy if they want, or throw it away, you don't care).
Edit: I just noticed you are paranoid about them re-issuing the citation ("they" -- as in the courts -- don't do that). You can try something that simply says "I, Joe Six-Pack, was present in court on 3/20/12," but I doubt they will just date-stamp that. In that case, it's better to take someone else with you who can be a witness later on, if necessary, that yes, you were present in court.