What to do with a traffic ticket titled "POLICE DEPARTMENT NOTICE TO APPEAR" in Los Angeles?

[caspar99]

Just got pulled over two hours ago, in Alhambra, California (within the Los Angeles County). This ticket I got is related to 21950(a) VC, YIELD TO PED IN MARKED CROSSWALK. Seems like I have to Contest the violation or Not contest it as indicated on the back of the ticket. The police told me I might receive a mail about this. Also for the Contest the Violation option, I am supposed to "(Court Trial) Send a certified or registered letter postmarked not later than five days prior to the appearance date or come to the court the appearance date to request a trial on a future dater when an officer and any witnesses will be present. You will be required to submit the bail amount." Also it indicates that" A courtesy notice may be mailed to the address show on your citation, indicating the required deposit of money (bail) that may be forfeited instead of your appearing in court." I decided to do that. So what exactly will be for the "certified or registered letter"? Will it possibly come with the "mail indicating the amount of bail" or something else? By the way the date to appear is 12/19/11 Thanks a lot for helping.

[gustav]

Appear.

[burt]

You can post the bail on the day of the hearing if you choose to plead not guilty and go to trial.

[rushford79]

Unless you are a juvenile, you DO NOT need to appear. A traffic ticket in California is called a "Notice to Appear." All it means is that if you want to go to court, you can. If not, you can just pay the ticket.

The instructions about sending a letter is if you are fighting the ticket and you want to plead not guilty by mail. The courtesy notice is what the court sends you to let you know how much the ticket will be and gives instructions on how to attend traffic school.

Just wait for the courtesy notice in the mail and pay the "bail" amount. The bail amount is your fine.