At a glance
- Violation
- CVC 22450(a)
- Court
- Kern County Superior Court – Metropolitan Traffic Division
- County
- Kern
- Main keyword
- fight cvc 22450 Kern County Bakersfield Traffic Court
What this means
Overview
A CVC 22450(a) stop sign ticket in Kern County carries a base fine of $35. Total fines with fees range from $197 to $229. You will get 1 DMV point on your record. The point stays for 3 years and can raise your insurance rates.
You have 30 days from the ticket date to respond to Kern County Superior Court Metropolitan Traffic Division in Bakersfield. You can fight the ticket by mail using Trial by Written Declaration without going to court. Check your ticket for the exact due date and bail amount.
Cost and record impact
Possible penalties
The base fine for CVC 22450(a) is $35. After the court adds county fees, state fees, and penalty assessments, you will pay between $197 and $229 total. Your ticket or the court website will show the exact bail amount for your case. The DMV adds 1 point to your driving record when you pay the fine or are found guilty.
The point stays on your record for 3 years from the violation date. Insurance companies can see the point and may raise your rates by 15 to 25 percent or more. Traffic school may hide the point from your insurance company if you are eligible. You must ask the court for permission to attend traffic school.
You cannot use traffic school if you attended in the past 18 months or if you hold a commercial license and were driving a commercial vehicle. Check your ticket or call the court clerk to confirm if traffic school is available for your citation.
Defense strategy
Defense options to consider
Argue the officer did not have a clear view of your vehicle at the stop line. Trees, parked cars, buildings, or road curves can block the officer's line of sight. If the officer was far away or at a bad angle, they may have misjudged whether you stopped. Explain in your declaration where the officer was positioned and what objects were between you and the officer. Challenge whether the stop sign met legal standards under CVC 21351.
The sign must be visible from at least 100 feet away in normal daylight. If branches, graffiti, fading paint, or another object blocked the sign, take photos from the driver's view at 100 feet and closer. Note the date, time, and exact intersection on each photo. Attach the photos to your Trial by Written Declaration. Contest the claim that you rolled through the stop.
A complete stop means your wheels stop moving and your speed reaches zero mph, even if only for one second. Officers sometimes ticket drivers who pause briefly but do stop. Describe in detail what you did: where you stopped, how long you waited, and what you checked for before proceeding. If you had passengers, ask them to write a witness statement. Check your ticket for mistakes in the violation code, date, time, location, license plate, or vehicle color.
Courts can dismiss tickets with errors that make it unclear what happened or who was driving. If the officer wrote the wrong street name or intersection, point that out in your written declaration. Explain why the error shows the officer's account is unreliable. Question whether the intersection required a stop at all. Some private parking lots or driveways have stop signs that are not enforceable under the Vehicle Code.
CVC 21450(a) applies only to signs installed by a public agency on a public road. If the sign was on private property, state that in your defense and provide evidence such as property records or photos of the location. Use Trial by Written Declaration to present all your evidence by mail. You do not have to take time off work or appear in court. You pay bail upfront, and the court refunds the full amount if you win.
If you lose the written trial, you can request a new in-person trial and try again with the same or different defenses.
Practical next step
Match every defense point to evidence. Courts are more likely to consider a written declaration when the facts, exhibits, and request are organized around the exact charge.
Written trial
Using a TR-205 trial by declaration
Trial by Written Declaration lets you fight your ticket entirely by mail using form TR-205. You write your statement, attach evidence like photos or diagrams, and mail everything to the court. The officer must also submit a written response. A judge reviews both sides and issues a written decision. You do not go to court or see the officer.
In Kern County, you must file your TR-205 within 30 days of your ticket date or your scheduled arraignment. You must pay the full bail amount when you submit the form. If you win, the court refunds 100 percent of the bail and dismisses the ticket. If you lose, the bail pays your fine and the conviction goes on your record. Check your citation for the exact deadline and bail total.
If the court finds you guilty after the written trial, you have the right to request a Trial de Novo. This is a brand new in-person trial where you can present your case again. You must request it within 20 days of the written decision. The court keeps your bail during the new trial. This gives you two chances to fight the ticket without losing your right to a trial.
Preparation
What to prepare before contesting
- Review the officer statement and citation details for location, timing, and code accuracy.
- Collect photos, registration records, speed-limit context, or other evidence tied to the violation.
- Use a written trial by declaration when the facts can be explained clearly on paper.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How many points does a CVC 22450(a) conviction add in Kern County?
A CVC 22450(a) conviction adds 1 point to your DMV record. The point stays for 3 years from the violation date. Insurance companies can see the point and may raise your rates. If you get 4 points in 12 months, the DMV can suspend your license. Ask the court about traffic school to keep the point off your insurance record.
Will my insurance go up after a stop sign ticket in Bakersfield?
Yes, your insurance can go up after a stop sign conviction. Most insurers raise rates by 15 to 25 percent when they see a new point. The increase can last for 3 years. Traffic school can hide the point from your insurance company if the court allows it. Fight the ticket or complete traffic school to avoid the rate hike.
What is the total fine for CVC 22450(a) at Kern County Superior Court?
The total fine ranges from $197 to $229 after all fees and assessments. The base fine is only $35, but the court adds county fees, state fees, and penalty assessments. Your ticket or the court website will show the exact bail amount. If you do a Trial by Written Declaration, you pay this amount upfront and get it all back if you win.
How do I file a Trial by Written Declaration in Kern County?
Get form TR-205 from the court clerk or download it from the Kern County Superior Court website. Fill out the form with your statement and defenses. Attach photos, diagrams, or witness statements as evidence. Mail the form and full bail payment to the court within 30 days of your ticket date. Keep copies of everything you send. The court will mail you a decision in a few weeks.
What evidence should I gather to fight a stop sign ticket?
Take photos of the intersection from the driver's view showing the stop sign, stop line, and any obstructions like trees or parked cars. Photograph the sign close up to show fading, damage, or graffiti. Measure and note the distance from which the sign is visible. Write down exactly where you stopped and what you did. If you had passengers, ask them to write and sign a short statement describing what they saw.
Can I go to traffic school for a CVC 22450(a) ticket in Kern County?
You can request traffic school if you have not attended in the past 18 months and you hold a non-commercial license. You must ask the court for permission. Traffic school costs extra but keeps the point off your insurance record. The point still counts toward DMV suspension limits. Check your ticket or call the Kern County court clerk to confirm eligibility and get instructions.
What is the deadline to respond to a stop sign ticket in Bakersfield?
You have 30 days from the date on your ticket to respond to Kern County Superior Court. Your ticket will show the exact due date or arraignment date. If you miss the deadline, the court can issue a late fee, suspend your license, or issue a warrant. Call the court clerk right away if your deadline has passed to ask about your options.
What happens if I lose my Trial by Written Declaration?
If you lose, the court keeps your bail as payment for the fine and reports the conviction to the DMV. You will get 1 point on your record. You can request a Trial de Novo within 20 days of the decision. A Trial de Novo is a new in-person trial where you can present your case again. You do not lose your right to fight just because you lost the written trial.