This guide walks through the deadlines, the three paths for handling a speeding ticket, approximate fine ranges, and which LA County courthouses hear these cases.
Step 1: Know Your Deadline
Your citation lists a court date — sometimes called the arraignment date. You must take action by that date. That does not mean you have to walk into court that day; it means you must do something official: post bail and request trial by written declaration, plead not guilty, request an extension, or enroll in traffic school if eligible.
Key deadline facts for LA County:
- Missing the deadline can add late fees and, in some cases, a failure-to-appear charge — so don't put the ticket in a drawer.
- Many LA County courts allow one extension (often 60 days) by phone or online. Request one if you need time to build your defense.
- The deadline is on your ticket, not in the mail. Courts are not required to send a courtesy notice, and it sometimes arrives after the date has passed.
Step 2: Pick Your Path — Written Declaration vs. Court Trial vs. Traffic School
California drivers generally have three options for a speeding ticket. Each has tradeoffs:
| Option | How it works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial by written declaration (form TR-205) | You contest the ticket entirely in writing. You submit your statement and evidence; the officer submits theirs; a judge decides. No courtroom appearance. | No court visit; no extra court fee; you keep the right to a fresh in-person trial (trial de novo) if you lose. | You must post bail (the full fine amount) up front — refunded if you win. |
| Court trial | You appear in court, testify, question the officer, and present evidence before a judge. | Full hearing with live testimony; best if you have strong factual evidence or witnesses. | Takes a day off work; no do-over on a guilty verdict. |
| Traffic school | You pay the fine plus a school fee and complete a driver-safety course; the point stays off your public record. | Keeps the point off your record if eligible. | You still pay the full fine; generally limited to once every 18 months; not available for higher-speed violations. |
For most drivers, trial by written declaration is the practical first move: it costs nothing extra beyond your bail, it can be done from home, and if it doesn't go your way, you can still request a new in-person trial — and in many cases still ask for traffic school afterward. Learn more on our speeding ticket page.
Step 3: Understand What a Speeding Ticket Really Costs in LA
The number on your citation is only the start. California adds state and county penalty assessments to every fine, so the total you owe is much higher than the base fine. As approximate ranges (totals vary by court and speed):
| Speed over limit | Typical total fine range (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1–15 mph over | can be $230–$350 |
| 16–25 mph over | can be $360–$500 |
| 26+ mph over | can be $500 or more |
| Construction zone (any speed) | roughly double the standard fine |
These ranges apply whether you were clocked on the I-5, the 405 in the Sepulveda Pass, or the 101 through Hollywood. And the hidden cost is insurance: a speeding conviction can raise premiums by often 20–30% for three to five years, which often dwarfs the fine.
Step 4: Find Your Courthouse
Your courthouse is printed on the citation — it is assigned based on where the stop happened, not where you live. Common LA County traffic courthouses include:
- Metropolitan Courthouse (downtown LA) — many freeway stops in central LA
- Van Nuys — San Fernando Valley, including 101 and 405 stops
- Santa Monica — Westside, including the 10 and PCH
- Beverly Hills — Westside surface streets
- Torrance — South Bay, including 405 and 110 stops
- Pasadena — San Gabriel Valley, including 210 and 110 stops
- Inglewood, Downey, Chatsworth, Lancaster — surrounding regions
Drivers cited near Burbank, Glendale, or the eastern Valley often land in Pasadena or Van Nuys — see our Burbank traffic ticket defense guide for that area specifically.
How United Traffic Tickets Handles the Fight
United Traffic Tickets prepares your trial-by-written-declaration defense (form TR-205) for a flat $199 — the statement of facts, the legal arguments, and the evidence packet — and tracks your case through the court's decision. Please note that United Traffic Tickets is not a law firm; it provides document preparation and case-tracking services with attorney review before filing. It does not provide legal advice and cannot promise a specific outcome — but a well-built written declaration may be dismissed or reduced, and in many cases drivers do better than simply paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to respond to a speeding ticket in Los Angeles?
Your citation lists a court date or arraignment date. You must take action by that date — request an extension if you need more time. Missing the deadline can add late fees and, in some cases, a failure-to-appear charge. Many LA County courts allow one extension by phone or online.
What is trial by written declaration for a speeding ticket?
Trial by written declaration (form TR-205) is a California option that lets you contest a traffic ticket entirely in writing, without appearing in court. You submit a written statement of facts and any supporting evidence; the officer submits theirs; a judge decides. It costs no additional court fee, and you keep your right to a new in-person trial (trial de novo) if the written trial does not go your way.
Should I fight my speeding ticket or just take traffic school?
It depends on your situation. Traffic school can keep the point off your record if you are eligible, but you still pay the fine plus the school fee, and you can only use it once every 18 months for most violations. Fighting by written declaration costs nothing extra beyond your bail and may result in the ticket being dismissed or reduced — and if you lose, you can often still request traffic school in many cases.
How much is a speeding ticket on the I-405 or I-5 in Los Angeles?
Total fines vary by speed and court, but as approximate ranges: 1–15 mph over can be $230–$350, 16–25 mph over can be $360–$500, and 26+ mph over can be $500 or more, including state and county assessments. Speeding in a construction zone roughly doubles these amounts.
Which courthouse handles my LA speeding ticket?
The courthouse is printed on your citation. Common traffic courthouses in LA County include the Metropolitan Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Pasadena, Inglewood, Downey, Chatsworth, and Lancaster. A free ticket scan can confirm which court is on your citation.
Don't just pay it — scan it free.
Upload a photo of your citation and get a free AI scan: violation codes, court, and deadlines pulled in seconds. Then we'll tell you whether a $199 written-declaration fight makes sense for your ticket. No pressure.