Speeding ticket questions...

The LEO has up to one year to submit the ticket, else it is void.
Ask me how I know.

Keep checking every week or so...mine is nearly 6 months in and still not in system

I read that elsewhere. I don't understand what incentive they would have to hold onto them for a long time. In any case, the tech-guy in me thinks that the whole process ought to be electronic, with the ticket going into the database the moment it's issued...

Isn’t there something written on the ticket on when to respond by? Are you hoping that if it doesn’t get put in the computer you’ll be off the hook?

If it isn't in the system, there's nothing to respond to. I ended up down at the courthouse to ask. Clerk said he could enter it if I wanted, but then I'd need to pay, else see if the guy never submits it.

If it isn't in the system, there's nothing to respond to. I ended up down at the courthouse to ask. Clerk said he could enter it if I wanted, but then I'd need to pay, else see if the guy never submits it.

What happens if it shows up later and you haven’t fulfilled the promise you made when you signed the ticket. Just know what you’re risking when you hope it falls through the cracks.

Isn’t there something written on the ticket on when to respond by? Are you hoping that if it doesn’t get put in the computer you’ll be off the hook?

The ticket lists several options, one of which, as I read it, is to pay online. That's certainly not (yet) possible. Another option is "trial by written declaration" which I have done (successfully) before, and might do again in this case (still thinking about what to write...).

If it gets lost and never goes into the computer system, I would not complain but, no, I'm not counting on that happening.

I got a speeding ticket through Santa Clara Court, and it didn't get posted for 4-5 months. Incredibly slow system, which pushed the traffic school eligibility out that far as well.

I got a speeding ticket through Santa Clara Court, and it didn't get posted for 4-5 months. Incredibly slow system, which pushed the traffic school eligibility out that far as well.

Traffic school eligibility is determined by citation date, not filing date.

I got a speeding ticket through Santa Clara Court, and it didn't get posted for 4-5 months. Incredibly slow system, which pushed the traffic school eligibility out that far as well.

Traffic school eligibility is determined by citation date, not filing date.

Oh disregard that part then, still annoying to have to wait that long to receive the ticket. I just wouldn't get your hopes up that it "disappeared"

Got the notice in the mail today, so it did not disappear 

It has a due date of 1/6/2026, and I filed for a 30-day extension, so I have until 2/5/2026. I plan go with "trial by written declaration", and I'll send in my info a few days before 2/5/2026. Nobody seems to know what the odds of success might be, but some people claim there's a high probability that the cop won't respond, in which case the judge will likely dismiss it. I figure it's worth a try...

I plan go with "trial by written declaration", and I'll send in my info a few days before 2/5/2026. Nobody seems to know what the odds of success might be, but some people claim there's a high probability that the cop won't respond, in which case the judge will likely dismiss it. I figure it's worth a try...

Yes, go TBD attempt.  The bench officer receiving your TBD may also just reject your defense and set an in person trial de novo.  And even then the bench officer can do you dirty like my last ticket.  LEO no showed, but court continued the case over my objection and motion to dismiss.  Then, finally, at second trial call, with another LEO no show, it finally got dismissed, robbing me of my Perry Mason moment.  I grew out a moustache and everything...

All that's to say the court can exercise discretion to extend your anguish.  But why not try and knock it out at each instance, if the interests of justice call so to you

I took the traffic school online months ago and the traffic school tried to contact the court but the court can't find my docket to clear the ticket from my driving record!  Hope they can clear it before it appears on DMV record because it'll be much harder to deal with DMV to remove the incident.

I plan go with "trial by written declaration", and I'll send in my info a few days before 2/5/2026. Nobody seems to know what the odds of success might be, but some people claim there's a high probability that the cop won't respond, in which case the judge will likely dismiss it. I figure it's worth a try...

Yes, go TBD attempt.  The bench officer receiving your TBD may also just reject your defense and set an in person trial de novo.  And even then the bench officer can do you dirty like my last ticket.  LEO no showed, but court continued the case over my objection and motion to dismiss.  Then, finally, at second trial call, with another LEO no show, it finally got dismissed, robbing me of my Perry Mason moment.  I grew out a moustache and everything...

All that's to say the court can exercise discretion to extend your anguish.  But why not try and knock it out at each instance, if the interests of justice call so to you

My thinking exactly.

I actually did TBD once before and it worked. In that case, the cop gave me a ticket for using my cell phone, but I had logs showing that I'd not used my cell phone during that time period--not sure if that mattered, or the cop just was a no-show. In any case, there's nothing so concrete that I can provide in this case, but I'll give it a go anyway. Maybe I'll get my Perry Mason moment...