How long do I have to respond to a traffic ticket?

In California, you generally have 21 days from the time of your traffic violation to respond to your ticket. Depending on the type of violation you are charged with, your response may be different. If you receive a “fix it” ticket, you may sign the ticket stating that you have corrected the violation and mail it back to the court. If you receive a ticket for a moving violation, you must respond by either paying the fine or requesting to go to court to contest the ticket. If you choose to contest the ticket and ask to go to court, you must request this within the 21-day period or you may be found in violation of the law. The court will then provide you with information regarding your court date. You will be required to show up to the court on the specified date and bring your ticket with you. If you miss the 21-day deadline to respond to your ticket or fail to appear in court, you may be faced with additional charges and penalties, such as late fees, increased fines, or license suspension. It is important to note that the sooner you respond or take action on your ticket, the more likely you are to receive a more lenient penalty.

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How long do I have to respond to a traffic ticket?

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