Traffic Ticket Costs California Drivers Should Know About

When you receive a citation, the fine may be only part of the total traffic ticket costs California drivers face. Bail, assessments, DMV points, and potential insurance increases can add to the financial impact.

For eligible California tickets, GetDismissed helps you contest your citation through Trial by Written Declaration without hiring a lawyer or appearing in court for the initial trial. Service starts at $99, depending on the ticket type, and the GetDismissed system prepares a court-ready self-help defense package based on the information you provide.

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GetDismissed Pricing at a Glance

GetDismissed offers options for drivers who already have a ticket as well as drivers who want ongoing protection against future eligible tickets.

GetDismissed Service	Price
One-Time Ticket Dismissal Service	Starting at $99
Traffic Ticket Protection	$69/year
Traffic Ticket Protection Added to a Dismissal Package	$39
Standard Processing – 8+ Days	No Charge
Express Processing – 4–7 Days	$15
Rush Processing – Same Day to 3 Days	$25

GetDismissed service fees are separate from any bail, fine, assessment, or other amount required by the California court handling your citation.

How Much Does It Cost to Fight a Traffic Ticket?

The cost to fight traffic ticket citations depends largely on how you choose to contest them.

Some drivers choose to appear in court themselves. Others may hire a traffic attorney, which can cost substantially more than the underlying service price offered by GetDismissed. GetDismissed provides another option for eligible California infractions: contesting the ticket in writing through Trial by Written Declaration.

GetDismissed pricing starts at $99, with the exact service fee depending on the type of ticket.

Rather than appearing in court for the initial trial, you provide GetDismissed with information about your ticket and the circumstances surrounding it. The GetDismissed system then prepares your self-help defense package based on your answers.

You print, sign, and submit the documents to the court according to the applicable instructions.

This approach is designed for California drivers who want a straightforward way to contest an eligible ticket without the cost of hiring an attorney or the inconvenience of attending the initial traffic trial in person.

One-Time Traffic Ticket Dismissal Service

Starting at $99

Already have a California traffic ticket? The one-time service is the appropriate option for drivers looking to contest a current eligible citation.

The GetDismissed system can prepare Trial by Written Declaration packages for many common California traffic infractions, including:

Speeding tickets
Red light tickets
Red light camera tickets
Cell phone tickets
Texting and distracted-driving tickets
Stop sign tickets
Carpool-lane tickets
Illegal U-turn tickets
Failure-to-yield tickets
Road sign violations
Eligible commercial-driver tickets
Many other California traffic infractions

Not every citation qualifies. GetDismissed does not handle tickets that require a mandatory court appearance, including certain no-license violations and citations for driving 30 mph or more over the speed limit.

How Much Does It Cost to Fight a Speeding Ticket?

Drivers frequently ask, how much does it cost to fight a speeding ticket in California?

There are two different costs to keep in mind: what the court requires and what you choose to spend to prepare or present your defense.

When using Trial by Written Declaration, California courts generally require you to deposit the applicable bail amount while the citation is being contested. That money goes to the court, not GetDismissed.

Separately, GetDismissed charges a service fee to prepare your self-help defense package. Pricing depends on the type of citation, with one-time service starting at $99.

If the court finds you not guilty through Trial by Written Declaration, the bail deposited with the court is refunded. If the fine is reduced, the appropriate difference may be returned by the court. The court determines outcomes, and GetDismissed does not guarantee dismissal or any particular result.

Traffic Ticket
Protection

$69 Per Year

Receiving one ticket is frustrating enough. Traffic Ticket Protection provides ongoing GetDismissed service coverage for eligible tickets received during the plan year.

The plan is $69 per year when purchased separately.

Eligible protected customers can use the GetDismissed ticket service during the coverage period without paying the regular GetDismissed service fee for each qualifying ticket.

Coverage remains subject to the types of citations GetDismissed handles.

Drivers who already have a ticket can add Traffic Ticket Protection to their dismissal package for $39, providing one year of additional coverage at a reduced bundled price.

Traffic Ticket Protection benefits can be particularly useful for drivers who spend substantial time on California roads, including commuters and commercial drivers who may have greater exposure to traffic citations.

Expedited Processing Options

Traffic tickets come with deadlines, so the amount of time remaining before your court date matters.

GetDismissed offers three processing options:

Standard Processing – No Charge
Choose Standard when you have eight or more days available for your completed defense package.

Express Processing – $15
Express processing is available when you have approximately four to seven days.

Rush Processing – $25
Rush service is available for deadlines ranging from the same day to approximately three days.

If your court date is approaching, check the deadline shown on your ticket or court notice before selecting a processing option.

Is It Worth It to Fight a Traffic Ticket?

Drivers understandably ask: is it worth fighting a traffic ticket instead of simply paying the fine?

There is no single answer for every driver or citation, and GetDismissed cannot predict how the court will rule. However, there are several financial considerations to weigh before automatically paying an eligible ticket.

Paying a moving violation generally means accepting the conviction. Depending on the violation, it can result in a point added to your driving record. Points may also affect what you pay for auto insurance.

Contesting an eligible citation allows the court to consider your written defense before deciding the case.

If the ticket is dismissed, no points from that citation are added to your driving record, and the bail deposited with the court is refunded.

That makes the potential cost of the citation broader than the fine itself. When considering whether fighting a traffic ticket makes sense, drivers may want to compare:

The court-imposed fine or bail
Potential DMV points
Possible future insurance increases
Time required to attend court
The cost of hiring an attorney
The cost of using GetDismissed to prepare a written defense

Trial by Written Declaration allows eligible California drivers to contest a ticket without attending the initial trial in person.

What Is Included in the GetDismissed Price?

The GetDismissed system prepares a court-ready self-help defense package based on the information you provide.

Getting started is simple:

Upload your traffic ticket and driver’s license.
Answer guided questions about the citation and circumstances.
Receive your completed defense documents.
Print, sign, and submit the package according to the provided instructions.

The intake itself typically takes only a few minutes and can be completed from your phone, tablet, or computer.

GetDismissed is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or representation. The service prepares self-help legal documents at the customer’s direction.

What Happens If a Trial by Written Declaration Is Unsuccessful?

Using Trial by Written Declaration does not necessarily eliminate your opportunity to contest the citation further.

If your Trial by Written Declaration is unsuccessful, you may be able to request a Trial de Novo, which gives you a new in-person court trial, provided you comply with the applicable court requirements and deadline.

GetDismissed provides Trial de Novo request documents at no additional charge to customers using its service.

Frequently Asked Questions About California Traffic Ticket Costs

How much does GetDismissed cost?

One-time GetDismissed service starts at $99, depending on the type of traffic citation. Optional Traffic Ticket Protection costs $69 per year when purchased separately or $39 when added to a current dismissal package.

Are California traffic ticket fines included in the GetDismissed price?

No. GetDismissed service fees are separate from the bail, fine, assessments, and other charges imposed by the court. Your citation or court notice should identify the amount associated with your individual case.

Do I still have to pay bail if I fight my ticket?

For Trial by Written Declaration, the court generally requires the applicable bail amount to be deposited while the citation is contested. If the court finds you not guilty, the bail is refunded. The court, not GetDismissed, controls bail requirements and refunds.

Is fighting a traffic ticket cheaper than hiring an attorney?

GetDismissed service starts at $99, while hiring a traffic attorney typically costs considerably more. GetDismissed is not a law firm, however, and the services are different. GetDismissed prepares self-help Trial by Written Declaration documents at the customer’s direction rather than providing legal representation.

How much does expedited GetDismissed processing cost?

Standard processing for eight or more days has no additional charge. Express processing for approximately 4 to 7 days costs $15, while Rush processing for a same-day to 3-day turnaround costs $25.

Does paying GetDismissed guarantee that my ticket will be dismissed?

No. GetDismissed does not guarantee dismissal, a refund, or any specific court outcome. Its system prepares a self-help defense package designed to help eligible California drivers contest their traffic tickets through Trial by Written Declaration.

Can I use GetDismissed anywhere in California?

GetDismissed serves eligible traffic tickets issued throughout all 58 California counties. You do not have to be a California resident or hold a California driver’s license, but the ticket itself must have been issued in California.

An Affordable Way to Contest an Eligible California Traffic Ticket

Before automatically paying a traffic ticket, consider the full potential cost—not just the number printed on the court notice.

For eligible California citations, Trial by Written Declaration allows you to contest the ticket in writing without appearing in court for the initial trial. GetDismissed makes that process simpler by preparing your self-help defense package using the ticket information and answers you provide.

With one-time service starting at $99, transparent expedited-processing options, and Traffic Ticket Protection available for drivers who want ongoing coverage, you can choose the option that fits your situation.

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Ron SoutherCHP Oﬃcer (retired)