Traffic Court

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Sentencing Fines & Bail Refunds

Fine Breakdown
Each violation listed on a citation is assessed a base fine. In addition to the base fine, there are additional assessments added to make up the total fine amount due to the court. The total fine amount due can also be increased by priors or points on a person's driving record. The amounts shown below are applicable to Alameda County and may not apply to other counties. Total fines for traffic violations may be calculated as follows:

Base Fine set by legislation and the Judicial Council of California. Penalty Assessment: Penalty assessments are allocated for such items as court and jail facility construction and other items as noted below.

$10.00 per $10/base fine per PC 1464 goes 70% to State Trial Court Trust Fund; 30% to County General Fund.
$2.00 per $10/base fine per GC 76100 goes to the County Courthouse construction fund.
$2.50 per $10/base fine per GC 76101 goes to the County Jail Construction Fund.
$0.50 per $10/base fine per GC 76102 goes to County Automated Fingerprint Fund.
$2.00 per $10/base fine per GC 76104 goes to Maddy Emergency Medical Fund (State/County split).
$3.00 per $10/base fine per GC 70372.(a) goes to State Court Facilities Construction Fund.
$1.00 per $10/base fine per GC 76104.6 goes to the DNA Identification Fund (County/State split).
$3.00 per $10/base fine per GC 76104.7 goes to the DNA Identification Fund (County/State split). (First $1 per $10 effective on violations on/after 07/12/06; additional $2 per $10 effective on violations on/after 06/10/10.)
$2.00 per $10/base fine per GC 70372(a) goes to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund - Immediate and Critical Needs Account.
Night Court Assessment Fee pursuant to VC 42006
DMV record fee pursuant to Vehicle Code 40508.6
Twenty percent criminal surcharge pursuant to Penal Code 1465.7
Court Security Fee pursuant to Penal Code 1465.8
Criminal Conviction Assessment pursuant to GC 70373 goes to the State Court Facilities Construction Fund - Immediate and Critical Needs Account (assessed per conviction).
Citation Processing Fee per GC 29500(c).

Bail Schedule

In addition, fines can be further enhanced pursuant to Vehicle Code 42009 for committing an offense while driving in a highway construction or maintenance area and pursuant to Vehicle Code 40210 for violations committed in a Safety Enhancement-Double Fine Zone. There are special violations with higher fines for violations committed in a school zone, a business district, a senior center zone, or at a railroad crossing.

The table below lists examples of the total bail amount due for a traffic fine. These amounts do not include any additional assessments due to priors or points on a driving record. If Traffic School is allowed, there is an additional $54.00 added to the total fine due.


Violation	Base Fine	Penalty Assessment	Night Court fee	DMV Fee	20% Criminal Surcharge	Court Security Fee	Total Fine Due
VC 12814.6 Failure to obey license provisions.	$35.00	$104.00	$1.00	$10.00	$7.00	$40.00	$197.00
VC 14600(A) Failure to notify DMV of address change within 10 days. Note: The fine may be reduced with valid proof of correction.	$35.00	$104.00	$1.00	$10.00	$7.00	$40.00	$197.00

What is a Penalty Assessment?
Penalty Assessment is an amount which is added to all fines and for bail for infractions and low grade misdemeanor offenses. It is charged pursuant to Government Code Section 76000 and Penal Code Section 1464 of the State of California and is subject to change by the Legislature. Click here to view the current penalty assessment amount.

What is a Night Court Assessment?
Pursuant to Section 42006 of the Vehicle Code, in addition to the Penalty Assessment, a special assessment is collected for a violation of any section of the Vehicle Code or any local ordinance adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code. Violations related to parking are not included. This assessment is used to fund night court operations.

Uniform Bail Schedule

Bail Refunds

1. How do I get my bail money back?

We will mail the bail refund to the depositor (the person who deposited the money with the Court), unless you have made special arrangements to pick up the refund check. The depositor must show ID to pick up the check.

2. How long will it take?

We will mail the bail refunds within 30 business days after the disposition of the case, or 30 business days after the order of exoneration.

3. Who does the court mail the bail refund to?

We mail the refund check to the person who deposited the bail money (the depositor). The depositor is the person who signed the personal check, money order, or cashier’s check.

4. If my address has changed, how do I tell the court?

When you go to court, tell the Deputy, Commissioner or Clerk that your address has changed. Or, you can send a letter to the court telling them about your change of address.

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