San Bernardino County Traffic Court Records Search
Understanding the San Bernardino Traffic Court System usually comes with receiving a traffic citation and going to court to fight it. This is never a fun experience but it's fairly common if you drive on a regular basis. If you find yourself needing to appear at the San Bernardino Traffic Court, understanding its primary function, fighting a citation, how DUI cases are handled, and the process for looking up and paying traffic citations can help you manage the situation with confidence.
The Primary Function of Traffic Court
Traffic courts, in general, primarily deal with violations of traffic laws and moving violations. These courts are specialized judicial bodies that handle cases involving traffic infractions, such as speeding tickets, illegal parking, and more severe offenses like DUI (Driving Under the Influence). Their primary function is to adjudicate these cases, ensuring that justice is served while maintaining road safety for all users.
Traffic courts aim to provide a streamlined process for handling minor offenses, allowing more serious criminal cases to be managed in other court divisions. They offer a forum for individuals to contest traffic citations or negotiate penalties, often involving fines, traffic school, or community service.
San Bernardino DUI Cases: Misdemeanor or Felony?
DUI cases are some of the more serious matters handled by traffic courts. In all California counties, DUI offenses can be classified as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the circumstances. Understanding the severity of a DUI charges in California, and its potential implications is very important, as the consequences can significantly impact an individual's life. Here is how they are defined:
Misdemeanor DUI: A misdemeanor DUI is typically charged when an individual is caught driving under the influence with no aggravating factors. This might include first-time offenses or cases where no one was harmed, and no significant property damage occurred. Penalties often involve fines, license suspension, mandatory DUI classes, and potentially jail time.
Felony DUI: A DUI charge can escalate to a felony under certain conditions. These include situations where the driver has multiple prior DUI convictions, causes serious injury or death, or has a particularly high blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Felony DUIs carry much harsher penalties, such as longer prison sentences, larger fines, and extended license suspensions.
How to Lookup a San Bernardino Traffic Ticket
If you've received a traffic ticket in San Bernardino County, you'll need to locate your citation details to understand the charges and next steps. This information is available from the Superior Court. Here's how you can do it:
1). Online Search: The San Bernardino Superior Court provides an online portal where you can search for your traffic ticket. You'll need your citation number or driver's license number to access the information.
2). Court Visit: If you prefer, you can visit the San Bernardino Traffic Court in person. Ensure you bring identification and any documents related to your citation for reference.
3). Phone Inquiry: Alternatively, you can call the court clerk's office to inquire about your citation. Be prepared to provide identifying information to assist in the lookup process.
How to Pay a Traffic Citation
Once you've located your traffic citation, you'll need to address it by the due date to avoid additional penalties. Here's how you can pay your citation:
Online Payment: The most convenient method is to pay online through the San Bernardino Superior Court's website. You can use a credit or debit card to settle your fines quickly and securely. Ensure you have your citation number handy to complete the transaction.
In-Person Payment: If you prefer to pay in person, visit the San Bernardino Traffic Court. Payments can be made using cash, check, or credit/debit cards. Remember to bring your citation or reference number to facilitate the process.
Mail Payment: For those who opt to pay by mail, send a check or money order to the court's mailing address. Include your citation number on the payment to ensure it is correctly applied. Note that mail payments should be sent well in advance of the due date to avoid late fees.
How to Fight a Traffic Ticket in San Bernardino
Fighting a traffic ticket is a relatively common practice. If you feel the issuing police officer was in the wrong, you can petition to the courts to fight your traffic ticket in front of a judge. Here is the process of contesting your traffic citation to the courts.
1). Review Your Citation: The first step is to review your citation to understand the specific violation, your court appearance date, and other relevant details. This information is an important part for building your defense.
2). Decide How to Plead: There are three options you can choose: plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty. If you believe the citation was issued in error or there are specific circumstances that were not considered by the issuing officer, you might consider pleading not guilty to contest the ticket.
3). Collect Your Evidence: Collect any relevant evidence, including photographs, dashcam footage, traffic camera footage if available, and any witness statements. Evidence could show that there were certain circumstances that lead to the citation that were out of your control.
4). Request a Court Date or Trial by Written Declaration: Your best chance at fighting a ticket is to appear in court to present your case in person. Prepare your evidence and practice your argument for the judge. You can also contest your ticket via mail. California allows you to contest your ticket in writing without appearing in court. Submit a written statement and any supporting documents.
5). Appear in Court: If you choose an in-person trial, make sure to be prepared and be on time. Present your evidence calmly and respectfully to the judge. Remember, the issuing officer may be present to testify against you.
How Can I Lookup All My Traffic Tickets in San Bernardino?
You can check with the Superior Court to find specific citations that are recent, however this will not give you the entire picture. To lookup all of your traffic tickets, including DUIs and driving record points, you can use a third party service such as a public records website. These resources allow people to run driver history reports which detail a person's complete driving history, including all traffic ticket and how many points they have on their record.
