Federal District Court

H

Heywood

Well-known member
Can anyone comment on how traffic court works for a federal district court. Got popped in a National Monument so the stop was conducted by federal agents (Park Rangers) the ticket is handled through the central Violations Bureau in Virginia. Are the procedural rules the same where if the officer fails to show the ticket is dismissed? what about Discovery motions?
I cannot find the location of the Court it was not on the ticket. Only listed as District CA3B. Are there limits on taking traffic school based around your speed, IE if 40 miles over the posted limit you're not eligible. Not saying I was going 40 over, just an example. This is my first ticket close to 30 years frankly it's the points I'm worried about.
Thx!
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
Heywood said:
Can anyone comment on how traffic court works for a federal district court. Got popped in a National Monument so the stop was conducted by federal agents (Park Rangers) the ticket is handled through the central Violations Bureau in Virginia. Are the procedural rules the same where if the officer fails to show the ticket is dismissed? what about Discovery motions?
I cannot find the location of the Court it was not on the ticket. Only listed as District CA3B. Are there limits on taking traffic school based around your speed, IE if 40 miles over the posted limit you're not eligible. Not saying I was going 40 over, just an example. This is my first ticket close to 30 years frankly it's the points I'm worried about.
Thx!
Click to expand...

I got popped years ago, had to go to Federal Court in SF, in front of a magistrate, make a plea and pay a fine.
 
H

Heywood

Well-known member
I'm pretty sure I was the guy's cherry for writing a ticket. Took him over 20 min and the supervising Ranger had to show/help him how to tear it out of the book..:rofl
 
E

ejv

Untitled work in progress
There are 4 federal district courts in CA. The links you are looking at are central district. If you were ticketed at Lava Beds NM then you were in Eastern District. My assumption is that if you are ticketed in Eastern District you deal with the courts in Eastern District. They would have venue. Eastern seems to have three courts to handle this stuff. Fresno, Bakersfield, and Yosemite.

http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/CAEDnew/index.cfm/attorney-info/cvb/fresno/

Read the link. It explains your options pretty well. There are links to Yosemite and Bakersfield as well but they seem to give the same info. You will get something in the mail. If you don't pay then you are expected to go to court. Then it goes from there.
 
H

Heywood

Well-known member
ejv said:
There are 4 federal district courts in CA. The links you are looking at are central district. If you were ticketed at Lava Beds NM then you were in Eastern District. My assumption is that if you are ticketed in Eastern District you deal with the courts in Eastern District. They would have venue. Eastern seems to have three courts to handle this stuff. Fresno, Bakersfield, and Yosemite.

http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/CAEDnew/index.cfm/attorney-info/cvb/fresno/

Read the link. It explains your options pretty well. There are links to Yosemite and Bakersfield as well but they seem to give the same info. You will get something in the mail. If you don't pay then you are expected to go to court. Then it goes from there.
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Thanks, I just needed to be pointed in the right direction. Found this:
Redding Office hears misdemeanor and petty criminal offenses on federal lands and National Parks in Northern California. Court is held at Sierra Army Depot, Redding, and Susanville.
It's about 2.5 hrs to Redding if I get approved for a change of venue. About the same drive time for him. Would a Park Ranger really drive 2.5 hrs to appear in traffic court? :teeth
 
L

Leftbrain

Active member
Heywood said:
Would a Park Ranger really drive 2.5 hrs to appear in traffic court? :teeth
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He likely gets paid to do so, and that's a break from his normal job and maybe some per diem for meals. So, don't bank on him not showing up.

You will likely get a notice in the mail after the ranger files the citation with the court that provides the due date and location for you to appear in person.

Also, I believe you may have a hard time being granted a venue change by virtue of the fact that you placed yourself in the location where you were cited - that means that you have demonstrated that you can get to that location on your own without undue hardship.
 
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bojangle

bojangle

FN # 40
Staff member
Leftbrain said:
He likely gets paid to do so, and that's a break from his normal job and maybe some per diem for meals. So, don't bank on him not showing up.

You will likely get a notice in the mail after the ranger files the citation with the court that provides the due date and location for you to appear in person.

Also, I believe you may have a hard time being granted a venue change by virtue of the fact that you placed yourself in the location where you were cited - that means that you have demonstrated that you can get to that location on your own without undue hardship.
Click to expand...

I was gonna say, I doubt he'll be able to change the venue.
 
H

Heywood

Well-known member
Thanks! I appreciate the input. Most of this I think is just mental machinations as I do meet their criteria for traffic school frankly I was getting tired and wasn't paying attention on such a scenic rd. :ride
 
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