If you’ve ever sat behind the wheel in LA gridlock, you already know—it’s enough to fray anyone’s nerves. Now picture this: you’re late, sweating in bumper-to-bumper traffic, trying to make it to a downtown courthouse before your name gets called. That’s how traffic court starts for most people. And it doesn’t get prettier from there.
Here’s What To Expect In LA Traffic Court
Stepping into Los Angeles traffic court is like walking into a slow-moving maze. First, there’s the parking—which ranges from expensive to “are you kidding me?”—then you’ve got lines longer than the DMV on a Friday. You check in, you sit down, and you wait. And wait. Hours can pass before your case even gets a glance. We recommend you bring a book.
The vibe? A mix of confusion and frustration. People mumbling about missing work, judges speed-reading names, bailiffs barking instructions. Miss your cue and you might just get rescheduled—or worse, slapped with extra penalties. It’s not just disorganized; it’s borderline chaotic.
And here’s the kicker: even if you make it through all that, there’s no guarantee you’ll know how to defend yourself. You might think it’s just a speeding ticket, but the moment you open your mouth, say the wrong thing, or forget a key piece of evidence? You’ve just made your own situation worse. What could’ve been reduced or dismissed might now stick—points on your license, a hike in your insurance, and a fine that burns your paycheck.
How Much Is Your Time Worth? Probably More Than It Costs To A California Traffic Lawyer
Let’s talk real costs for a second. That day off work? You’re probably looking at some lost wages. That stress and time wasted? Drains your energy, wrecks your schedule. Most folks don’t factor that in. Then, there are parking fees and whatever you spent on gas to get there. What if the judge is running late and doesn’t get through all the cases on the docket? You might get rescheduled and have to come back AGAIN.
But hiring a traffic lawyer? They can show up for you, deal with the paperwork, handle the judge, and give you a fighting chance of keeping your record clean. In many cases, they can appear on your behalf so you don’t even need to set foot in court.
And that’s where The Ticket Clinic steps in. With over 35 years of experience defending traffic offenses, we know the California court system inside and out. We’ve handled over 5 million cases and helped drivers just like you keep points off their record and avoid the courtroom altogether. Our California team knows the judges, the system, the rules-we’re in traffic court almost every day.
Long story short, why suffer through traffic court and risk your driving record when you could have a professional go for you while you sit on the couch?
Still Thinking About It? – Here’s Some Info On Major Traffic Courthouses in Los Angeles County
Depending on where your ticket was issued, your case will likely be handled at one of the following courthouses. Here’s what people are saying about them online.
- Metropolitan Courthouse
- A recent review: “Dept M63 it smelled like urine. I changed my bench a few times and could still smell it. Please, invest in a cleaning crew.”
- Address: 1945 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Phone: (213) 742-1884
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- A recent review: “Dept M63 it smelled like urine. I changed my bench a few times and could still smell it. Please, invest in a cleaning crew.”
- Van Nuys Courthouse West
- Recent review: “If I could give this court a zero I would my court appointment was at 8:30 they let us into the court room took role call and literally had to wait for almost 2 hours for the judge to come out. I hate how they act like you have all day to be at court for a simple driving ticket.this is insanely ridiculous.”
- Address: 14400 Erwin St. Mall, Van Nuys, CA 91401
- Phone: (818) 989-6998
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Inglewood Courthouse
- A recent review: “I have watched several employees disrespect tax paying citizens, while standing in line. It’s sad when employees are not held accountable for disrespectful behavior, and even sadder when these same individuals are rewarded with a pay check. What happen to Customer Service:( Stay away from this place unless you feel like being treated like a criminal.”
- Address: One Regent St., Inglewood, CA 90301
- Phone: (310) 419-1399
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- East Los Angeles Courthouse
- A recent review: “Stella” was unprofessional and I believe I was given a fake name, she was eating and talking unprofessionally and refused to assist me with my ticket.
- Address: 4848 E. Civic Center Way, Los Angeles, CA 90022
- Phone: (323) 780-2000
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Santa Monica Courthouse
- A recent review: Nightmare! The people in 244, especially the women are frustrated old angry females who hate their lives and jobs. Absolutely rude and horrible people. Get another job if you’re that mad and hate your life so much!! Unacceptable behavior. Almost creepy.
- Address: 1725 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Phone: (310) 255-1964
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
There are other courthouses in LA that handle traffic tickets. For a comprehensive list of Los Angeles County traffic court locations, visit the Los Angeles Superior Court Traffic Division.
Final Arguments
Every day we handle all types of traffic citations and have lawyers in traffic court. It’s what we do. For everyday people, traffic court is an extremely unpleasant experience that can be avoided. We think people have better things to do and strive to make it easier and less stressful to deal with a traffic ticket. Got a ticket in LA or anywhere in the Golden State? Don’t roll the dice in court. Let us do the heavy lifting. Call The Ticket Clinic today, and we’ll fight to keep you out of court and on the road.
