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Paying Fines

Mandatory Appearances
Payment Options
Obtaining Proof of Correction
Payment Due Date

 

Mandatory Appearances (Misdemeanor violations)

If you are charged with a misdemeanor violation, you MUST appear in court on the date and time indicated on your citation or courtesy notice.  At that time, the judge will determine your sentence.

Payment Options (Infraction violations)

Credit Card: You may pay the full bail (fine) prior to your court date by telephone with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover) by calling (916) 875 - 7800

Or

You may the full bail (fine) prior to your court date on the internet with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover) at https://www.epay-it.com/sac/.

You will need your citation number which is listed on the upper right hand corner of your ticket or on the courtesy notice mailed to you by the court.  A convenience fee will be added to your credit card for either of these transactions.  Proof of correction cannot be provide over the phone or on the internet.  See Obtaining Proof of Correction.

 

Mail:  If you are not required to appear in court, you may clear your case by mailing the full bail plus any applicable proof of correction to:

 

Sacramento Superior Court

301 Bicentennial Circle, Room 100

Sacramento, CA 95826

Payment and any required proof of correction must be received on or before the scheduled court date.

  • DO NOT MAIL CASH!  Your payment can be made by check or money order payable to Sacramento Superior Court.  A $25.00 fee will be assessed on all checks returned for non-sufficient funds.

  • You can authorize a credit card transaction on your courtesy notice.  A convenience fee will be added to this credit card transaction.

Drop Box: A drop box is located to the left of the main entrance at the Carol Miller Justice Center.  It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Payments must be dropped no later than 5:00pm on the due date.

In Person: You may pay your bail and provide proof of correction by appearing in room 100 at the Carol Miller Justice Center on or before the scheduled court date.

Monthly payments:  You may request monthly payments by mail or in person.  You must complete and sign an agreement to make monthly payments on or before your court date.  A $35.00 administrative fee will be assessed.  You must also pay a 25 percent down payment and sign a waiver of rights at the time you sign up.

The Department of Revenue Recovery processes monthly billing and payments on behalf of the court.  Failure to pay as ordered will result in your account becoming delinquent.  Collection enforcement includes, but is not limited to, garnishment of your wages, seizure of funds in your bank account(s), placement of a lien on any real property you own, the balance of your fine reported to various credit bureaus as delinquent, and seizure of your California State Income Tax refund.  In addition, the delinquent amount may be referred to an outside collection agency and you will not be allowed to appear in court to discuss your case.

Obtaining Proof of Correction

You must provide proof of correction for any correctable violations to have your bail reduced, pursuant to 40610 of the California Vehicle Code.  Should you choose not to provide proof of correction you may pay the "bail without correction" amount indicated on your courtesy notice to clear the case.  Proof of correction cannot be provided over the phone or on the internet.

Proof of correction for various violations may be obtained in the following ways:

  • Smog control device violations must be inspected and certified by an authorized Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Device Installation & Inspection Station.

  • Light and brake violations may be certified by an authorized Inspection & Installation Station.

  • Dog and cat licenses may be obtained at the City of Sacramento Animal Care Services - Animal Licensing, 2127 Front Street, if you reside in the city of Sacramento; or at County Animal Care & Regulation, 4290 Bradshaw Road, if you reside in the county of Sacramento.

  • Vehicle Registration - If you were cited for a registration violation (4000(a) of the California Vehicle Code), you must show proof of valid vehicle registration to clear the charges.  Deposit of fees will not be accepted.  Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for vehicle registration information.

  • Self-certification of corrections is not acceptable.

  • Sale of the vehicle does not relieve you of the responsibility for correcting the violations you were cited for.

  • Insurance - If you were cited for an Insurance Violation (Vehicle Code sections 16028(a) or 16028(c)) and have no previous insurance violations on your driving record, one of the following may apply to you:

    • If you provide proof of liability insurance on your vehicle or yourself at the time of the citation, your bail for this violation will be reduced to $10.00.

    • If you provide proof of liability insurance on your vehicle or yourself purchased after the date of the citation, your bail for this violation will be reduced from $711.00 to $371.00.

  • Proof of correction for other vehicle defects may be obtained at any law enforcement office during regular business hours. DO NOT STOP AN OFFICER ON ANY ROADWAY FOR THIS CERTIFICATION.

Payment Due Date

Your citation or courtesy notice will provide you with a date to appear and/or pay your fine. If you do not receive a courtesy notice or if you are unsure when your payment is due, contact the court by phone at (916) 875-7800 or appear in person at the Carol Miller Justice Center.

Payment of your fine in full on or before your due date closes your case.  You do not need to appear in court.