Juvenile Traffic Citations
Juvenile Traffic Court Clerk's Office Information
The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, excluding judicial holidays.
Telephone Number: (707)468-2009
Mendocino County Courthouse, 100 North State Street, Room 107, Ukiah CA 95482
Public Counter Hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm
Telephone Hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm
Juvenile Infraction Program
The goal of the juvenile infraction program is to raise the juvenile’s awareness and accountability for their conduct, ultimately making them better drivers and citizens.
Resolving a Juvenile Infraction Citation
Juveniles cited for infraction violations will receive a notice from the Court scheduling them for a hearing in front of a judge. These hearings are mandatory and require a parent or legal guardian to accompany the minor. If the minor has reached the age of 18 by the date of the hearing, they may appear on their own behalf. These hearings are always confidential.
Remote Appearance
Adults and minors may appear remotely using Zoom on the scheduled date and time on the notice. Both the juvenile and parent must appear on the video.
Start Remote Appearance Session Using Zoom
If the meeting does not start, go to https://zoomgov.com, click the Join link at the top and enter following when asked: Meeting ID: 160 733 5558 Passcode: 95482
Juvenile Traffic School
Traffic Violator School (TVS) must be specifically ordered by the judge and must be completed within the timeframe specified by the judge. If the juvenile is ordered to attend Traffic Violator School and, after payment of TVS fees, the minor decides not to attend, the case will automatically close and the citation will be reported as a conviction on the juvenile’s DMV driving record. Failure to attend TVS may adversely affect the juvenile’s automobile insurance premiums and driving privileges.
Start Smart Program
When juveniles are cited for traffic violations, the judge may order that the juvenile attend the California Highway Patrol’s Start Smart Program. This program will only be ordered for first time juvenile traffic offenders. If juveniles have had other traffic violations and have already taken the Start Smart Program, they will not be able to take it again. Juveniles that attend this program have a refresher course on traffic safety and learn ways to improve their driving. Typically, upon successful completion of Start Smart, juveniles do not have to pay the fine associated with their moving violation.
Correctable Violations
If the citation is for a correctable mechanical, driver's license, or registration violation ONLY, a court appearance is not necessary if the proof of correction and the correction fee is submitted to the court before your appearance date. Proof of correction can be Proof of correction can be obtained by having an authorized representative of a police agency complete the Certificate of Correction on the reverse of the citation. The certificate may be completed by the Department of Motor Vehicles for driver's license and/or registration violations. You must mail or bring the completed Certificate and the correction fee to the court at the address at the top of this page.
Online Access to Juvenile Infraction Cases is Prohibited by Law
Due to their confidentiality, juvenile infraction cases cannot be searched online using re:SearchCA.
Failure to Appear or Respond
If a juvenile and his or her parent fails to appear at the scheduled mandatory hearing, they must contact the Court immediately to obtain a new appearance date. If they do not contact the Court, a new hearing will be scheduled, and a notice will be mailed to the juvenile and parent(s).