65 in a 50. Cop was really nice and cut me a deal to 65 rather then my actual speed of 76 (right before the bay bridge, didn't know the speed limit was 50 and everyone else was flyin by too)

I already plan to go for the online traffic school, i don't think the "trial by declaration" would work, i may give it a try though.

My question though is it happened while i was in SF on my way back to fresno, does this mean i'd have to drive all the way back up to SF for my court appearance? Has anyone else gotten an out of town ticket and handled it by mail? i REALLY don't want to have to drive back up darn it.

 

Here in IL, you have to drive to what ever county you got the ticket in. I lived in Kane county and got a ticket in Cook County. I had to drive 50 freakin miles for the court appearance in Cook County.

 

man i'm sorry to hear that i always fly well over 50 at the bay bridge going back to vallejo. From what i understand you only have to appear at court if specified. Usually you just wait for the ticket to come by the mail and pay it and also submit your certificate that you went to traffic school.

 

The court will mail you the ticket and bail amount (fine) to the address on your driver's license. If you do not wish to contest it (ie. plead guilty to the offense), then you can usually do everything by mail, as long as they don't require you to make a court appearance. Court appearances are usually necessary only if you're contesting it in court or are required to be present (typically for big tickets). They'll typically give you a phone number for the court so you can find out your options- if you can take traffic school, amount of fine, and if you have to appear in court. You pay the fine (and an additional fee if going to traffic school) by the due date. You complete traffic school (on-line ones are a good idea if you are busy- took me about 4 hours total over several days, but I'm a fast reader...) and then mail in your certificate to the court. That should be all. They make it pretty painless to plead guilty and get it over with because they do want your money...

Summary: 1) receive ticket 2) call court to find out options 3) pay fine and any additional fees 4) take traffic school 5) mail in certificate from traffic school 6) take it easy for next 18 months, until you can take traffic school again