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Petty Offense Docket/Traffic Tickets

Central Violations Bureau (CVB)

The CVB is the national center charged with processing violation notices (tickets) issued, and payments received for petty offenses and traffic violations committed on federal property. For information on how to pay your ticket (on-line or by mail), please visit the CVB website at www.cvb.uscourts.gov , or contact the CVB directly at 1-800-827-2982. Please do not mail payment to the Court unless the Court directs you to do so.

Violation Notices (Tickets) Information

When a federal law enforcement agency issues a violation notice (ticket), it sends the original copy to the CVB, located in San Antonio, Texas. The CVB enters the ticket into its database and tracks the status of the ticket, including payment history, until the case is closed. If the CVB does not receive payment of the fine within 30 days of the ticket’s issuance, it will mail you a notice to appear in court before a magistrate judge. This notice is mailed two weeks before the scheduled court date and time indicated on the ticket.  

If a ticket is marked “optional appearance” by the issuing officer, you may do one of the following: 

  • Pay the fine before the court date. A conviction will not be reported to the California DMV. The case will thereby be closed, and you need not appear in court.
  • Do not pay the fine, and appear in court on the scheduled date, time, and place to contest the ticket.
  • If a ticket is marked “mandatory appearance” by the issuing officer, you must appear in court on the scheduled date, time, and place indicated on the ticket. 
  • If you cannot appear in court at the scheduled date and time on the ticket, you must call the appropriate location to reschedule your appearance:
    • San Francisco (800) 827-2982
    • Eureka and Hopland (707) 445-3612
    • Salinas and San Jose (408) 916-2230
  • To request a disposition of a matter after court is over, please contact the CVB directly.
Petty Offense Court Information By Courthouse
San Francisco:
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 18th Floor (Courtroom 14)
San Francisco, CA 94102

The docket is posted outside of courtroom 17. You must sign in upon arrival and matters are called in the order of the person signing in. The calendar begins at 12:45 p.m.

There is no judge presiding over the petty offense docket in San Francisco. The proceeding is an informal settlement conference between you and a representative of the Office of the U.S. Attorney. There is also a representative of the Federal Public Defenders Office present to answer questions and to assist you in your discussions with the prosecutor. At the settlement conference, you will discuss and try to resolve your citation(s) and to schedule a trial, if required. If a trial is scheduled, you may be entitled to an appointed attorney. If you have any questions, you may call the Office of the Federal Public Defender at (415) 436-7700.

Please click here for directions to the courthouse, important security information to gain entry to the courthouse, and other San Francisco Courthouse logistics.

San Jose:
280 S. First Street
San Jose, CA 95113

Petty offense and traffic matters are heard by a U.S. magistrate judge. The petty offense calendar is held the first Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m. Matters are held in either Courtroom 5 on the 4th Floor or Courtroom 2 on the 5th floor (depending on which magistrate judge is holding calendar that month).

Please click here for directions to the courthouse, important security information to gain entry to the courthouse, and other San Jose Courthouse logistics.

Salinas:
1000 S. Main Street, Room 214
Salinas, CA 93901

Petty offense and traffic matters are heard by a U.S. magistrate judge. The petty offense calendar is held the first Monday of the month, unless the first Monday is a federal holiday, then the calendar will be heard on the second Monday of the month. There are two times for the petty offense calendar: 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. The misdemeanor calendar is held at 10:00 a.m. and any trials will be held at 1:30 p.m.

Please click  here for a map of the Salinas location.

Eureka/McKinleyville:
3140 Boeing Ave.
McKinleyville, CA 95519

Petty offense and traffic matters are heard by a U.S. magistrate judge. The petty offense calendar is held one Monday per month and begins at 1:00 p.m. 

Please click here for directions to the courthouse, important security information to gain entry to the courthouse, and other Eureka courthouse logistics.

Hopland:
3000 Shanel Road
Hopland, CA 95449

Petty offense and traffic matters are heard by a U.S. magistrate judge. The petty offense calendar is held one Monday per month and begins at 1:00 p.m.

Please click  here for a map of the Hopland location.