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Failure to Go To Court or Pay

What is a Failure to Appear?

When you sign a traffic ticket you are promising to appear (called an arraignment) on or before the date at the bottom of the ticket. If you violate your written promise to go to court by the due date, you may be guilty of a misdemeanor. Avoid additional fees and legal action, which may include a warrant for your arrest, by taking action before your due date.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR TICKET BEFORE YOUR DUE DATE:

For more information, visit the General Information section and then select "How Do I Find Out the Options for Handling my Citation."

To conduct court business via online services, which includes requesting an extension, establishing a payment plan or making a payment, submitting electronic correspondence, submitting proof of correction online, reserving a court date, or setting up automatic reminders for your case(s), access My Court Portal as a guest user or create an account.

What is a Failure to Pay Fine or Comply with a Court Order?

If you do not pay your fine or comply with an order of the court (example: failure to obey an order to perform community service) before the date the court gave you, you may be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Avoid additional fees and legal action, which may include a warrant for your arrest, by taking action before your fine or court order is past due. You can obtain an extension to pay your fine or comply with a court order. You can also pay your fine in installments.

Your case may be eligible for installment payments without an appearance before a Judicial Officer. To find more information you may contact Collections.

Visit:

Visit the Collections Office at one of court locations.

Write a letter to: (NOTE: not recommended due to time delay)

Centralized Collections
P.O. Box 7460
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7460

What is Civil Assessment?

If you violate your written promise to go to court, do not pay your fine on time, or do not obey an order of the court, an extra fee may be added and your case may be referred for collection.

Avoid additional fees and legal action, which may include a warrant for your arrest, by taking care of your case on time. For tips, refer to questions 1 and 2 above.

Under certain conditions, such as hospitalization, active military service or incarceration (being in jail), you can ask the judge not to add that additional fee.

Your case may also be eligible for installment payments without an appearance before a Judicial Officer. For more information you may contact Collections by visiting any Collections Department Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

To conduct court business via online services, which includes requesting an extension, establishing a payment plan or making a payment, submitting electronic correspondence, submitting proof of correction online, reserving a court date, or setting up automatic reminders for your case(s), access My Court Portal as a guest user or create an account.

How Do I Clear a Suspension (Hold) On My Driver’s License or Vehicle?

There are several options available to remove a suspension on your driver’s license or vehicle registration:

OPTION #1:

You may be able to pay the full amount you owe to clear or release the hold. The court will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of your compliance to release the hold. You can review your case online at "online case access" or at one of the Criminal and Traffic court locations. You can also initiate a hold release upon payment in full at (657) 622-8459. Customer service agents available Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. You can also go to the Collection Office to pay the amount due.

OPTION #2:

If you need your license or registration released faster, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may also be able to accept payment for traffic tickets and reinstate your license or registration immediately.

OPTION #3:

You can also talk to court staff, including making a request to see a judge:

Visit:

Visit the Collections Office at one of five court locations.

How Do I Clear a Warrant for My Arrest?

You can request a warrant be recalled by:

  • Posting bail with a law enforcement agency.
  • Posting bail with the court and requesting a court date.
  • Posting bail with the court and requesting that it be "forfeited" (this means the court keeps the bail and your case may be eligible to be closed).
  • Asking a judge at the court that ordered the warrant. Report to the Traffic Division no later than 8:00am Monday-Friday. Defendants appearing after 8:00am will be required to return the next business day unless the court otherwise allows. The court that ordered the warrant will be listed on any of the following: ticket, courtesy Violation Information Notice, or Sheriff’s Warrant Notice.

You can check for a warrant by:

Why Was My Ticket Referred to a Collection Agency / Franchise Tax Board?

Failure to take care of your ticket on time results in serious consequences.

In addition to the above action, the court can:

  • Send your case to a Collection Agency.
  • Garnish (seize) your personal property such as bank accounts and wages.
  • Place a lien on your real property (such as your home).

Collections staff are available to answer your questions during regular court hours:

Visit:

Visit the Collections Office at one of five court locations.

Write a letter to: (NOTE: not recommended due to time delay)
Centralized Collections
P.O. Box 7460
Newport Beach, CA 92658-7460