Appearing in Court
How do I set a court date?
If you wish to appear before a judge or court commissioner, you must check in with the clerk in the Traffic Department at the branch court location indicated on your citation, no later than the appearance date stated, to be placed on the court calendar.
Your appearance date, place, and time are indicated on your copy of the citation, and on your courtesy bail notice. (The officer who issued your citation will not be present.)
Traffic Court Locations and Schedules
Grover Beach: traffic check in begins at 8:15 am and ends at 8:35 am.
Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo each begin check-in at 8:30 am and ends at 9:00 am.
You may pre-check-in for court and avoid waiting in line on the actual court date by calling the court in advance or by checking in with the clerk prior to the court date.
Shorts, tank tops, bare feet, and other inappropriate attire are not allowed in the courtroom.
Appearing in Court
When you appear in traffic court, the first appearance is for Arraignment, which is the when you enter a plea.
The judge will ask that you step before the bench at which time the judge will ask you to confirm your understanding of the charges. If you do not understand, the charges and the potential consequences in the event of conviction will be read to you. Thereafter, you are asked which plea you want to enter.
There are several pleas you can enter; the most common are:
Guilty Plea
If you plead guilty you can give the judge an explanation about what happened.
If the judicial officer reduces your fine, he or she can order it be paid immediately, and, considering your prior convictions and any facts in aggravation, can increase the fine over the bail amount.
No Contest Plea
This is the same as a guilty plea except if you are involved in a civil suit (arising from your actions the citation was issued for) - such as a traffic accident - a no contest plea cannot be used against you in a later civil proceeding.
If the judicial officer reduces your fine, he or she can order it be paid immediately, and, considering your prior convictions and any facts in aggravation, can increase the fine over the bail amount.
Not Guilty Plea
The judge will order your case scheduled for a contested trial to determine your innocence or guilt. You may not give an explanation at arraignment since the facts will be covered at your trial.
Conduct During Court Proceedings
During court you are expected to sit quietly and refrain from talking, chewing gum, reading newspapers, or other behavior that would distract the court and others.
Shorts, tank tops, and other inappropriate attire are not permitted and you will not be allowed to appear if so dressed. Hats are not to be worn in the courtroom. No food, drinks, or weapons of any kind are allowed in the courtroom.
Pagers, telephones, and other audible electronic devices are to be turned off or made silent before entering the courtroom.