Fight a Traffic Ticket in Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County is the largest county in the United States, and its traffic court system handles millions of citations every year. Whether you were ticketed on the 405, the 101, or a local street, this guide will help you understand your options for fighting your ticket.
LA County Traffic Court Locations
Los Angeles County has multiple traffic court locations. Your citation will specify which courthouse handles your case:
- Metropolitan Courthouse - 1945 S Hill St, Los Angeles
- Airport Courthouse - 11701 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles
- Van Nuys Courthouse - 6230 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys
- Inglewood Courthouse - 1 E Regent St, Inglewood
- Long Beach Courthouse - 275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach
- Pasadena Courthouse - 300 E Walnut St, Pasadena
- Pomona Courthouse - 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona
Common Ticket Locations in LA
Most tickets in Los Angeles are issued on the county's major freeways. The I-405 (San Diego Freeway) sees heavy enforcement, particularly near LAX and through the Valley. The I-10 (Santa Monica Freeway) has frequent speed traps near downtown, while the I-110 (Harbor Freeway) corridor is regularly monitored by CHP.
The US-101 (Hollywood Freeway) features radar enforcement through the pass, and PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) sees both local police and CHP presence. If you received your ticket in any of these locations, you're not alone, and there are proven strategies for fighting these citations.
Fighting Your LA Traffic Ticket
Trial by Written Declaration
The most effective way to fight your LA traffic ticket without taking time off work is through a Trial by Written Declaration. Request form TR-205 from the court or download it from the LA Superior Court website. Submit your written defense along with the bail amount (which gets refunded if you win) before your due date. The judge typically issues a decision within 4-8 weeks, which you receive by mail.
Even if you lose, you have a safety net: within 20 days of the verdict, you can request a trial de novo for an in-person hearing, a second chance to present your case.
In-Person Court Appearance
You can appear in person at your scheduled court date, but consider what that requires in LA: taking time off work during business hours, dealing with notorious LA traffic and expensive courthouse parking, and potentially waiting hours for your case to be called. For most people, the written declaration approach is far more practical.
LA County Fine Schedule
| Violation | Base Fine | Total with Fees |
|---|---|---|
| 1-15 mph over limit | $35 | $234 |
| 16-25 mph over limit | $70 | $363 |
| 26+ mph over limit | $100 | $486 |
| 100+ mph | $200 | $896 |
Why Fight Your LA Ticket?
Fighting your ticket makes sense for several reasons. Many officers don't respond to written declarations, which results in automatic dismissal. Beyond that, a conviction can increase your insurance rates 20-30% for years, far more than the cost of fighting the ticket.
Points from traffic violations accumulate toward license suspension, so keeping your record clean is important for your long-term driving privileges. And with Trial by Written Declaration, the entire process happens by mail, with no court appearance required.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I fight a traffic ticket in Los Angeles?
Request a Trial by Written Declaration: submit form TR-205 with your written defense and the bail amount to the Los Angeles Superior Court by the date on your notice. The court mails the decision on form TR-215, and if it goes against you, you have 20 days to request a trial de novo on form TR-220.
Which court handles my Los Angeles traffic ticket?
Los Angeles County has many traffic locations, so the courthouse named on your citation is the one that matters. Court locations and counter hours change, so treat your citation and the court's own website as the authority.
How much is a speeding ticket in Los Angeles?
Speeding fines in Los Angeles run from $234 for 1-15 mph over the limit to $363 for 16-25 mph and $486 for 26 mph or more over, under the 2026 Judicial Council Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule. Counties can add local fees, so check your courtesy notice for the figure your court is charging.
Can I do traffic school for a ticket in LA?
You may be eligible if you have not attended in the past 18 months and the violation and your license type qualify. Traffic school keeps an eligible point off your public record but you still pay the court fine plus the school's fee. A dismissal is the only outcome that avoids both.