Traffic

It generally takes the court 4-6 weeks to enter and process it. Once entered into the court's system, a Bail Reminder Notice is mailed to the address listed on the citation. The Reminder Notice will include all of the necessary information including bail, traffic school and due dates. Please wait at least 6 weeks after your citation was issued, before contacting the court.

Your reminder notice will say if you are eligible for Traffic School.

You may attend an 8-hour Traffic Violator School as a pretrial diversion under VC 41501(b) and 42005 for any infraction under Divisions 11 and 12 (rules of the road and equipment violations) of the Vehicle Code, if the violation is reportable to the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you meet the following requirements, you may be eligible to attend Traffic School:

• You have not attended traffic school for a ticket issued within 18 months of your current ticket.
• You have a valid driver’s license. You were not cited for driving 26mph or more over the posted speed limit.
• You are not charged on this citation with violations involving alcohol or drugs.
• You were not operating a commercial vehicle.

You cannot go to traffic school for any:

• Misdemeanor
• Violation that has a mandatory court appearance
• Alcohol related violation
• Speeding 26mph or more over the posted speed limit.
• If you attended traffic school for a violation issued within 18 months of your present citation.
• Equipment or non-moving violations.
• If your driver’s license is not valid or you do not have a license issued in the U.S.

NOTICE: If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school your automobile insurance may be adversely affected. One conviction in any 18-month period (from violation date to violation date) will be held confidential and not show on your driving record if you complete a traffic violator school program.

Process to follow:

• Pay bail amount plus $73.00 administrative fee. This amount will be listed on your Reminder Notice.
• Pay online by credit or debit card through online payment. A credit card fee of 2.75% of the amount of payment and a convenience fee of $5.95 will be assessed by the processor.
• Mail to the court a personal check, cashier’s check or money order payable to Inyo Superior Court, and drawn on a United States Bank.
• Pay in person by cash, check or money order at either of the court locations.
• Choose a Department of Motor Vehicles approved 8 hour traffic school course. Contact the school and arrange to attend a session. You must also pay an additional tuition fee to the school when you attend the class. Traffic schools are private businesses and charge a fee to attend. To access a list of DMV approved courses, visit http://ctsi-courtnetwork.org and view the Find a Traffic School list.
• Traffic school must be completed within 60 days after the due date on your ticket or Reminder Notice, or by the date given to you by the court if you appear in court.
• Upon completion, the traffic school will electronically inform the court of your completion.
• Defendants with payment plans must have the fine amount PAID IN FULL no later than 90 days of setting up the payment plan in order for Traffic School be counted. (See “How do I pay my fine” for information on payment plans.)
• The Clerk’s Office may give one 60-day extension to complete traffic school if requested prior to the original traffic school due date. No further extensions at the end of the 60-day period will be given. Call the court 760-872-3038 or email the court www.inyo.traffic@inyocourt.ca.gov to request an extension.

You may pay and close your citation by paying your fine with no further action necessary. To pay your fine, your citation must have been processed by the Court. If you don't have a Bail Reminder Notice within 6 weeks of receiving your citation, please call the Traffic Division at (760) 872-3038 or email the court www.inyo.traffic@inyocourt.ca.gov .

You may choose from the options described below to pay your fine (also known as forfeiting bail). Please note: The Court does not accept partial payments without a signed Agreement to Pay and Forfeit Bail in Installments. Any partial payments received by the Court for which there is no signed Agreement on file may be returned to the payee and the case may be subject to additional penalties including a late charge in the amount of 50% of the total initial penalty and a $300 civil assessment.

Traffic Payment Options:

In person at the Traffic Division or by mail (include the payment portion of your courtesy notice):

Independence
168 North Edwards Street
P.O. Box 518
Independence, CA 93526

Open Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bishop
301 West Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514

Open Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

You may pay using the following options:

• Personal Checks imprinted with your name and current address and drawn on a United States Bank
• Money Orders drawn on a United States Bank
• Cashiers Checks drawn on a United States Bank
• Cash (in person only)
• Pay Online:
  If you wish to make your traffic payment with a credit or debit card through online payment. A credit card fee of 2.75% of the amount of payment and a convenience fee of $5.95 will be assessed by the processor.

Payment Plan

If you wish to arrange for a payment/installment plan you must complete an "Agreement to Pay and Forfeit Bail in Installments" form with the Court. A $35.00 administrative fee will be added to the total bail amount. If you are requesting traffic school and a payment plan, the entire amount must be paid within 90 days. You may obtain the form in person at one of the two locations below, by calling the court (760) 872-3038 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, emailing the court www.inyo.traffic@inyocourt.ca.gov, or you may mail a request for payment plan to the court – indicate in your request if you plan to attend traffic school.

If you attend traffic school and do a payment plan, all fines/fees must be paid in full within 90 days. You must return the signed agreement to the Court with the payment amount noted on the agreement. You must make your first installment payment before the due date on your notice. Failure to return the signed agreement to the Court may result in additional penalties including a late charge in the amount of 50% of the total initial penalty, a $300 civil assessment fee, and a referral of your case to a collection agency.

Please note: The Court does not accept partial payments without a signed Agreement to Pay and Forfeit Bail in Installments. Any partial payments received by the Court for which there is no signed Agreement on file may be returned to the payee and the case may be subject to additional penalties including a late charge in the amount of 50% of the total initial penalty and a $300 civil assessment.

Independence
168 North Edwards Street
P.O. Box 518
Independence, CA 93526

Open Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Bishop
301 West Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514

Open Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A deposit of bail for a traffic infraction is forfeited (which means that you pay the court and do not get your money back) in the following ways:

1. When you do not challenge the ticket and choose to pay the traffic bail. If you choose to pay the ticket, send your payment and a copy of the ticket or the reminder notice to the court. Do not send your original copy of the ticket. When the court receives your payment, if the offense does not require an appearance in court, your case will be closed. It will appear as a conviction on your DMV driving record. You will get points on your driving record if the offense is a moving violation, and your insurance company may raise your insurance payment or cancel your policy.
2. When you pay bail before arraignment or trial and are found guilty. If you are found guilty at trial and you paid bail before your trial, the court will apply the bail deposit to payment of the fine, penalties, and fees. If the total is less than the amount you paid, the court will mail a refund. If the total is more than the bail deposit, you will owe the additional money. If you are unable to pay, you may ask for community service (Penal Code section 1209.5) or a reduction based on your inability to pay and a payment plan (Vehicle Code section 42003).
3. When you pay bail before arraignment or trial and then fail to appear in court. If you fail to appear as promised, the court can declare your bail deposit forfeited and report a conviction on your DMV driving record.

The Court will deem the failure to pay as your election to proceed with a trial by written declaration (VC 40903). A civil assessment of $100.00 (PC1214.1) and a failure to pay charge in the amount of 50% of the total initial penalty (VC 40310) will be added to any traffic fine if you fail to post bail on time or fail to appear for your scheduled court date. All delinquent citations will be referred to a Collection Agency.

California Penal Code section 1214.1 permits the Court to impose a civil assessment of one hundred dollars ($100) against any individual who fails, after notice and without good cause, to appear in court for any proceeding, or who fails to pay all or any portion of a fine ordered by the court. The civil assessment is imposed in addition to, and separate from, any fine connected with a traffic citation.

If you failed to pay your citation fine and received a Failure to Pay Notice or your case has been referred to collections, and you have a financial hardship and can show that you are unable to pay the full amount for the offense(s) on your traffic ticket, you may request the Court to consider your ability to pay in setting the fine amount. Also, if you are ordered to pay a fine you may ask the Court for an installment payment plan that is based on your ability to pay or ask the Court to approve community service due to financial hardship. You will be asked to provide financial documentation in support of your request. To submit an ability to pay request, please visit  https://mycitations.courts.ca.gov/ to submit your request online, or complete Form TR-105 and mail it to the court. 

If you have a financial hardship and can show that you are unable to pay the full amount for the offense(s) on your traffic ticket or infraction Fish & Wildlife ticket, you may request the Court to consider your ability to pay in setting the fine amount. Also, if you are ordered to pay a fine you may ask the Court for an installment payment plan that is based on your ability to pay or ask the Court to approve community service due to financial hardship. You will be asked to provide financial documentation in support of your request. To submit an ability to pay request, please visit  https://mycitations.courts.ca.gov/atp to submit your request online, or complete Form TR-105 and mail it to the court. 

The Clerk's Office may give one 60-day extension of the original due date. Extensions will not be given after a Notice of Failure to Pay has been mailed. There are currently three methods for requesting an extension of the original due date:

• By email to www.inyo.traffic@inyocourt.ca.gov
• By telephone at (760) 872-3038 1:00pm to 4:00pm
• In person at the Traffic Division or by mail

Independence
168 North Edwards Street
P.O. Box 518
Independence, CA 93526

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Open Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m

Bishop
301 West Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514

Open Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Open Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m

The Reminder Notice is sent by the Court and includes the following information:

• The bail amount for the citation
• The due date when payment must be made
• Eligibility criteria for Traffic School
• Information on clearing a "fix-it" violation with proof of correction
• Where and when to report if you would like to appear in court.

You must take action on the citation on or prior to the due date listed on your citation. Not receiving your Courtesy Bail Notice it is not a legal excuse for failing to take care of the citation by its due date. When submitting a payment and/or documents by mail, allow 3-4 weeks for processing.

Failure to appear or take action on a citation on or before the due date may be deemed as your election to proceed with a trial by written declaration pursuant to Vehicle Code section 40903 and bail may be increased. The citation may also be referred to collections and a late charge in the amount of 50% of the total initial penalty and an additional $300.00 civil assessment may be added.

THE APPEARANCE DATE AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR TICKET IS ONLY APPLICABLE IF YOU HAVE BEEN CITED FOR A MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY, OR YOU WISH TO APPAER FOR ARRAIGNMENT.

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IF YOU ARE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL.

IF YOU SIGNED THE TICKET, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING CARE OF THE CITATION

The Clerk's Office may give one 60-day extension of the original due date. Extensions will not be given after a Notice of Failure to Pay has been mailed. There are currently three methods for requesting an extension of the original due date:

• By email to www.inyo.traffic@inyocourt.ca.gov
• By telephone at (760) 872-3038 1:00pm to 4:00pm
• In person at the Traffic Division or by mail

Independence 
168 North Edwards Street
P.O. Box 518
Independence, CA 93526

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Open Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m

Bishop 
301 West Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514

Open Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Open Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m

Traffic Court deals with violations of traffic laws and other minor offenses. These violations are considered "infractions" and include, for example, things like speeding, automobile equipment needing repair, and expired licenses. Traffic infractions are enforced by the issuance of traffic tickets ("citations") by law enforcement. Punishment for such infractions include payment of fines and do not carry any potential jail or prison time and do not necessarily require a court appearance.

Other, more serious automobile related matters, such as reckless driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI), and vehicular manslaughter, are either misdemeanors or felonies, carry potential jail or prison time as possible punishment, and are addressed as Criminal matters.

For any correctable violation other than VC 12951(a) (no driver’s license in possession), the issuing officer must allege on the citation that the violation is correctable.
Advisement: Fraudulent or altered documentation may be referred to the Office of the District Attorney for a full investigation and possible criminal prosecution.

Correctable Mechanical Violations
Proof of correction violations (required under VC40610) will be dismissed once the following have occurred (if taken care of in a timely manner).

1. The item is corrected (e.g. the tail light is fixed).
2. An authorized representative signs the citation or Bail Reminder Notice certifying it was corrected. Authorized representatives include: All California Law Enforcement agencies, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (for license and registration issues), any Station in California licensed to inspect and certify for the violation. Many agencies charge a fee to sign-off the citation; this is different than the Proof of Correction Fee required by the court.
3. The signed citation is submitted with a mandatory Proof of Correction Fee of $25 per correctable violation and any other violation fine amounts to the court by the date due.

Correctable Registration and License Violations
If you are charged with a violation of the registration law, you must show proof to the Court that this vehicle has been registered, junked, or receipted as planned non-operation after the date of citation or proof of Release of Liability prior to the violation date. A Proof of Correction Fee is payable to the Court. You may have DMV "Sign-Off" the violation on the back of your citation or you may submit a copy of your registration to the court. If you are charged with a license violation you may have the DMV sign off the back of your citation or sign your Courtesy Bail Notice. You may also provide a copy of your driver's license to the court. Sign-off only qualifies if the violation is filed as an "infraction" and the citing officer allows for correction.

Correctable Insurance Violations
If you were charged with a violation of the proof of financial responsibility law (VC16028), the Court will dismiss the charge only if it is shown that the defendant was financially responsible (i.e. there was an insurance policy that covered the defendant/driver on the date of violation, or proof the vehicle was insured at the time of the violation). A Proof of Correction Fee is payable to the Court. If you purchase a 6 month insurance policy after the violation date and your name is on the policy, a the proof of insurance coverage may be provided to the Court and the fine amount for the insurance violation will be reduced by half.
Advisement: Fraudulent or altered documentation may be referred to the Office of the District Attorney for a full investigation and possible criminal prosecution

If you no longer own the vehicle or it is inoperable, it is still your responsibility to clear the citation by either paying the bail or appearing in court. If you have junked the car or it is deemed inoperable, you will need to show proof of a DMV junk certificate or planned non-operation receipt to the Court. A Proof of Correction Fee is payable to the Court.

Yes, unless the ticket is issued in the name of the registered owner of the vehicle you are driving. It is not an excuse that it was not your vehicle; it is still your responsibility to clear the citation if the citation is issued in your name and you have signed the citation.

After you pay your fine, points may show up on your Department of Motor Vehicle's record unless you go to Traffic School. Both you and the violation must qualify before you are able to attend. If you do attend Traffic School, you must turn in your proof of completion to the Court before the deadline. If this is done the citation will be reported to the DMV as a confidential conviction.

NOTICE: If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school your automobile insurance may be adversely affected. One conviction in any 18-month period (from violation date to violation date) will be held confidential and not show on your driving record if you complete a traffic violator school program.

The Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend your driver's license for the following reasons:

• A drunk-driving arrest.
• High point count - you may be considered a negligent operator by the Department of Motor Vehicles based on your driving record.
• Evidence based upon a physical or mental condition of the licensee, which may affect the ability of the licensee to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Options for contesting your citation include an in-person court trial or a trial by written declaration by mail. For more information on how to contest your citation, click here.

Independence 
168 North Edwards Street
P.O. Box 518
Independence, CA 93526

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Open Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m

Bishop 
301 West Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514

Open Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Open Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m

The fine amount listed on your Bail Reminder Notice is set in accordance with the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule (California Rules of Court, rule 4.102), which can be found on the Judicial Council of California’s website www.courts.ca.gov.

Contact the agency that issued your citation. The Court does not process parking citations.

An appearance is not required for a juvenile traffic citation if the offense(s) is an infraction violation of the Vehicle Code. A Bail Reminder Notice will be mailed for all infraction Vehicle Code violations.

Non-Vehicle Code Infraction violations are a mandatory appearance for juvenile offenders. This includes but is not limited to Health and Safety Code, Penal Code, Inyo County Ordinance, and Bishop City ordinance infractions. You must appear in court on the date/time indicated on your citation.