California Vehicle Code Section 16030(a) and Traffic Ticket Cost, Bail, Court Fines, Penalties and Points

CA Codes

California Vehicle Code

VC Section 16030(a) - False evidence of Financial Responsibility

As of March 1, 2011

16030(a). Except as provided in subdivision (c), any person who knowingly provides false evidence of financial responsibility (1) when requested by a peace officer pursuant to Section 16028 or (2) to the clerk of the court as permitted by subdivision (e) of Section 16028, including an expired or canceled insurance policy, bond, certificate of self-insurance, or assignment of deposit letter, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) or imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 30 days, or by both that fine and imprisonment. Upon receipt of the court's abstract of conviction, the department shall suspend the driving privilege, effective upon the date of conviction, for a period of one year. The court shall impose an interim suspension of the person's driving privileges pursuant to Section 13550, and shall notify the driver of the suspension pursuant to Section 13106, and all driver's licenses in the possession of the driver shall be surrendered to the court pursuant to Section 13550. Any driver's license surrendered to the court pursuant to this section shall be transmitted by the court, together with the required report of the conviction, to the department within 10 days of the conviction. The suspension may not be terminated until one year has elapsed from the date of the suspension and until the person files proof of financial responsibility, as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 16430) except that the suspension shall be reinstated if the person fails to maintain proof of financial responsibility for three years.

Misdemeanor

Court Fine - $3,000.00

Points - 0

There are penalties the court adds of between $21 and $26 and a court penalty of $7 for every $10 of base fine, plus a surcharge of $15 for a misdemeanor and $7 for an infraction and a court fee of up to $7, plus there is an additional $40 court security fee per violation and a conviction assessment fee ($35) where applicable. The court fine above may thus be another $75.00 or more. Late fees can easily add another $200 to a fine.

Our law firm can request a trial by declaration, however, the Request for Trial by Declaration must be received by the court by the appearance date indicated on your Notice to Appear. Bail must be deposited with the clerk of the court by the appearance date. In addition, you can expect attorneys’ fees for 3 to 4 hours of work in simple matters and 7 to 8 hours of work in more complex cases for preparation of the Request for Trial by Declaration and preparation of the evidentiary documentation to support your claim of innocence or other explanation of your actions.

If you are dissatisfied with the court’s decision, you may ask for a new trial (trial de novo) within 20 days after the court’s decision is mailed to you, however you will then be responsible for additional attorney fees and costs should you decide to ask for a trial de novo and for representation in that subsequent trial. As always, no attorney can guarantee success either in the original Request for Trial by Declaration or in any subsequent new trial.

Should our law firm be retained to represent you in a Request for Trial by Declaration, there is no obligation by our law firm to request a trial de novo should you be dissatisfied with the court’s decision, or to represent you in any subsequent trial.

Fines are doubled in safety-enhancement fine zones, and construction zones.

Higher penalties are incurred for violations committed in a school zone, a business district, a senior citizen zone and at a railroad crossing.

Prior convictions of violations for which a point is assigned carry an additional $10 for each prior conviction within the previous 36 months

Cost of traffic school is generally $49.00 to $56.00. Filing of certificate of completion is extra.

Multiple offenses incur an additional penalty of between $19 and $26 for every $10 of base fine or part thereof plus the surcharge on the base fine, plus a $25 transaction fee for each offense, a $30 court security fee for each offense and a conviction assessment fee of $35 for each offense.

Late charges are 50 percent of any traffic ticket fines and penalties not paid within 20 days from the date of mailing a notice that a penalty has been assessed.