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Modesto: 2260 Floyd Avenue
(209) 558-6000
NOTE: Effective 11/09/09, Clerk's Office hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday -Friday
Turlock: 300 Starr Avenue
(209) 530-3101
(NOTE: Turlock Traffic Court will be temporarily closed from 10/1/09 through 6/30/10; please use the Modesto Traffic Court )
Juvenile Traffic: 2215 Blue Gum Ave.
(209) 525-4575
If you have received a traffic citation please check the bottom of the citation (ticket) for the location (address) and date to appear. You will be receiving a "courtesy notice" in the mail within a month from the date you received your citation. Do not ignore your citation if you do not receive a courtesy notice. When you receive the ticket (citation) from the law enforcement officer, you sign your name which means you are making a promise to appear. If you fail to appear as directed, additional penalties will be imposed for your failure to appear and your license may be suspended.
The majority of traffic matters are handled at our Traffic Division at 2260 Floyd Avenue, Modesto. This court is located on the corner of Oakdale and Floyd Avenues. If you are a minor (under the age of 18 at the time you received your citation), you will need to appear at 2215 Blue Gum Avenue, Modesto and be accompanied by a parent. The correct location for your appearance will be indicated on the bottom of your citation. You can reach the two traffic locations by calling our auto attendant system at (209) 530-3100. Please listen carefully to select the correct office. We frequently experience an extremely high call volume. If you are unable to reach a clerk at the Traffic Division by phone, you may email the Traffic Division at: traffic.requests@stanct.org.
If You Are Unable to Make Your Court Appearance
If you are unable to make your appearance, you must contact your designated Traffic Division once you have received your courtesy notice. You are eligible for a one month extension. This extension can be made either by mail or by speaking with a clerk once you have received your Courtesy Notice. Your request for an extension must be made on or prior to the date you were given to appear on your citation. When contacting the Court to request an extension or inquire about your case please have your docket number or citation number available to allow us to assist you. Your docket number is located on the top left hand corner of your Courtesy Notice that the Court mailed to you and the citation number is located on the top right hand corner of the ticket that was issued to you by the officer.
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If You Are Appearing in Person
Your first appearance in Traffic Court is called an arraignment. At the arraignment you will hear information regarding your rights and you will be informed of options for handling your matter.
Once you have received your Courtesy Notice in the mail you do not have to wait until the printed appearance date.
If you want to appear sooner, you can go to the Traffic office on a "walk-in" basis. NOTE: Effective October 1st, 2009, (but remember to check the citation you received for the specific location and time that you are directed to appear), all Traffic matters (other than Juvenile Traffic) will be heard at 2260 Floyd Avenue, Modesto, CA. At the Modesto Traffic Court, adults with current cases may walk in Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 am, 9:30 am or 1:00 pm, and Wednesday at 1:00pm. Clerk's Office hours effective 11/09/09 are: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If your case is in Failure to Appear status and a hold has been placed on your license, you may appear on Wednesday at 8:00 am or 9:30 am (Modesto Traffic Office only). At the Juvenile Court facility, you may check in for walk-in court on Wednesdays at 8:00 am or 9:30 am. Unless you have turned 18 by the time of your court appearance, you must be accompanied by a parent.
To sign in for walk-in Court you must go to the Information Booth at the Modesto Traffic Court, or go to Room 15 at the Juvenile Clerk's office. Advise the clerk that you would like to have your arraignment that day. If you simply want to pay your citation and not go to court you can pay at the Traffic Division Office where your case is assigned unless your citation/courtesy notice reads "Mandatory Appearance". Note: Some individuals may be able to handle their matter and pay for their traffic citation online. Please click on the link provided below (under the heading "If You Are Paying Online") to determine if you qualify.
At the arraignment, the Judicial Officer will ask how you want to plead. If you plead "Not Guilty" you will be given an option to set a court trial with the officer present or you can opt to have a trial by written declaration. A trial by written declaration (TBD) is when you submit your testimony in written form and the officer does the same. If you choose to have a TBD, you must first submit your request in writing to the court. Information will be sent to you explaining how to proceed. A due date will be given for you to post bail and submit your written declaration to the court. Juveniles now have the option of requesting a trial by written declaration.
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If You Are Paying the Citation
You may pay in person, by mail or online. Please do not send cash through the mail. If you are paying by check, please make sure to write the docket number (located on the left corner of your Courtesy Notice) on the left-hand corner of your check.
If You Are Paying Online
Click here to pay your citation online. Please note that the online system requires two days to process your payment. Your payment must be posted two business days prior to your due date to avoid further penalties and assessments.
If You Would Like to Request a Payment Plan
The Payment Plan is a program which allows you to make monthly payments on your citation (ticket). If you are interested, you must appear in court on or before your arraignment date to request a payment plan. A one time processing fee of $35 will be added to your bail and must be paid when setting up your account. Payment plans are set up for completion to occur within 12 months.
If You Are on a Payment Plan
It is your responsibility to make payments as agreed. If payments are not made by the agreed date, there may be further penalties added in the amount of $310.00 or more per case and your driver's license may be suspended. Should your license be suspended, the suspension will not be lifted until the amount owed is paid in full.
It is your responsibility to notify the Court if you have a change of address, financial status or if you can not make your payment by the agreed upon date.
If you have any questions regarding your payment plan, you may contact the Court at our email address at: Traffic.payplan@stanct.org. Please include your name and case number.
If You Would Like to Request Traffic School
You may be eligible to enroll if you have not attended in the past 18 months. Please read your Courtesy Notice. When you register for traffic school, there is a $56 non-refundable fee along with your bail that is paid to the court. When you pay your citation it is considered a conviction which may result in points being applied to your DMV record. Attending traffic school will keep the point off your record.
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THE INFORMATION POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE OR TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE ASSISTANCE OF COMPETENT LEGAL COUNSEL. YOU SHOULD SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OF YOUR CHOICE FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE FACTS OF YOUR CASE AND YOUR RIGHTS.
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