My traffic fine is $375, but the Calif DMV website says it should be $100. Help?

Question

I received a citation in Santa Clara County, CA for Violation of California Vehicle Code 22451, Railroad Grade Crossings.

According to the California DMV website, the fine for first infraction is $100.00 (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d18/vc42001_16.htm)

My Courtesy Notice from Santa Clara County designates bail as $375.00.

Is the county able to assess its own $275 fine on TOP of the state fine of $100?

Should I go to court and try to get the fine reduced?

Help!

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The fine is $100. But every fine in California is subject to a lot of fees and assessments (called "penalty assessments") which more than triple the fine. These go to various county and state funds. So, the DMV is right, the fine is $100. And Santa Clara is right, the bail--including penalty assessments--is $375. (In fact, that is a little lower than the state-wide schedule of $380.)

You could go to court and ask for a lower fine, but remember that if the fine was lowered from $100 to $50, that would mean you would have to pay around $190.

Answer 2

Each state is different, but yes the judge can increase the fine as can the county or township; what DMV set is they can charge no less than that figure. Example DMV says 46 fine for not wearing seat belts, I went to court and paid $300.00 for not wearing a seat belt. The belt was broken and I was bring the car to have the new belt put in when the cop stopped a 1/4 mile from the garage. It hurt put stuck.

Answer 3

Bail is designated not as your fine but how much they want to insure you'll show up in court. If you show up in court you'll get the $175 back, but if you don't they'll keep the whole thing.

Answer 4

If you show up in court they will reduce the fine.