Challenging a stop sign ticket in Fresno County is difficult for the layperson, but it is not impossible to overcome and save yourself thousands of dollars in increased insurance premiums.
The California Stop
Despite the misnomer “California stop,” California drivers are required to come to a full stop at an intersection.
CA Vehicle Code (VC) 22450, Special Stops Required, states in paragraph (a):
“The driver of any vehicle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to, or within, an intersection shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, the driver shall stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway.”
Where many drivers run into trouble with the law unnecessarily is when the stop sign is not visible, or they stop before the pedestrian crosswalk, and then roll forward to check for traffic and fail to come to a complete stop.
If you’re ticketed, you basically have four options:
- Go to your arraignment, plead guilty, and pay the fine.
- Go to your arraignment, plead guilty, and accept attendance at Traffic Violator School (TVS) if eligible.
- Challenge the ticket on your own. Not a wise decision, but an option. By challenging the ticket on your own, you must first understand traffic law and its complexities, gather evidence, be able to address the court in person without inadvertently admitting guilt or getting stage fright, and subpoena the law enforcement officer’s statement and peruse it for inconsistencies or errors that could lead to a reduced (no point) charge or dismissal.
- Pick up the phone, call Bigger & Harman, set up an appointment for a free initial consultation to discuss your options, and sleep peacefully knowing you have a knowledgeable and experienced traffic attorney protecting your rights and driving record.
OK, this is an over simplification of your options. We’ll discuss each in detail below.
Our priority is keeping your driving record clean and your insurance premium steady.
Should You Pay the Fine & Move on?
That mistake could severely hamper your budget over the next three years.
If you search online for “How much is a stop sign ticket in California?” The immediate answer is that the “base fine” is $35, but with added court fees, surcharges, and assessments, the total cost will be around $238, depending on the county.
However, what Google or Bing might neglect to tell you is that the most significant expense will be the rise in your auto insurance premium for the next 36 to 39 months, depending on your renewal date.
The CA DMV will assess one negligent operator treatment system (NOTS) point to your motor vehicle driving record (MVR).
Then, when your insurance provider discovers that you pled guilty to running a stop sign, usually at renewal, they will pull your “20% good driver’s discount” and add the associated risk, usually around 10-12%.
Since the average driver in SLO pays $2454, Grover Beach $2479, and Paso Robles $2,520 annually for full coverage, with just one point on your license, you could be paying $758.28, $794.28, or $806.40 more, respectively, for the next three years.
You might be thinking I don’t need full coverage. Some don’t, but most lien holders mandate full coverage on your new car to get a loan.
What’s more, this is the average, and you could be paying less, or much more if you have a teenager on your policy:
“Parents adding a teen driver to their policy can expect to pay 130 percent more than the California average cost of full coverage.”—Bankrate.com.
Whatever you’re currently paying for insurance, adding 30 to 32% more will typically upset anyone’s budget.
Should I Plead Guilty & Attend TVS?
TVS is a valid question, and the answer is typically yes, if you are eligible. However, using it for a ticket that could be easily reduced or dismissed will make you ineligible to use it again for 18 months.
TVS is by no means automatic—it is a judicial tool, typically used in plea deals by the court.
According to our knowledge and the DMV Traffic Violator Course Webpage, you must have a valid CA driver’s license (DL) and be accused of one minor infraction.
You must not have been driving a commercial vehicle when stopped; a drug or alcohol-related ticket; a major infraction (speeding 100+ mph), accused of a misdemeanor, felony, or other violation that requires a mandatory court appearance; not have used TVS within the previous 18 months to mask a conviction; and speeding 25 or more mph over the speed limit up to 100 mph requires a traffic court judge’s approval for attendance.
That’s actually quite a lot to consider. Your best option is to discuss attendance with a traffic ticket attorney before you decide to plead guilty and back yourself into a corner.
Should I Plead Not Guilty & Represent Myself?
Despite the quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client," it might be a good option if you are a regular Class C driver and eligible for traffic school. Just remember, you typically only have one shot to get it right.
Traffic court is more complex than most people think; even lawyers in other areas of interest hire a traffic attorney.
“I’m a local Attorney and If you need a traffic Attorney, these guys are THE BEST. Very professional and knowledgeable. They're known in the Courts and get amazing results. Whenever friends or family ask me about traffic issues I send them to Bigger & Harman.”—
Kevin B. Bakersfield, CA on Yelp.com.
If you get tongue-tied or admit guilt, it will likely cost you the full amount of the fine and insurance increase for up to three years. Unless there was a legal error by the court, it is difficult to appeal a traffic ticket for an infraction.
Plus, you’ll need knowledge of how to subpoena the LEO’s statement and witnesses, if any.
If trees covered the stop sign or the LEO’s viewpoint was obstructed, you should get pictures or draw a diagram to assist you in explaining the exact situation to the judge.
What if the LEO doesn’t show up for court, or there was a “mistake of fact,” would you honestly know how to proceed or what action to take?
You could also consider a Trial By Written Declaration (TWD). These, too, should be discussed with a traffic attorney during an initial consultation to preclude mistakes.
Also, it could be a mistake to believe the online “dismissal guarantee.” Just getting your money back for their mistake might cost you much more in the long term.
Ask Bigger & Harman, APC, About Challenging a Stop Sign Ticket in Fresno County
If you’re considering challenging a stop sign ticket, or other citation, call Bigger & Harman today at (661) 349-9300—para Español, marque 859-1177.
We routinely appear in Fresno County. We’ve helped California drivers resolve more than 20,000 traffic tickets during the past decade and that includes hundreds of them in Fresno.
Otherwise, use our secure contact form or email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: How much is a stop sign ticket in California?
A: A stop sign ticket in California has a “base fine” is $35, but with added court fees, surcharges, and assessments, the total cost will be around $238, depending on the county.
Q: Should I plead guilty and attend TVS?
A: TVS is by no means automatic—it is a judicial tool. There are several requirements you must meet to attend to mask your conviction and keep it confidential. The most significant drawback, if you are eligible, is that you must plead guilty and pay the full fine, tuition, and complete the course before the court-ordered date. If not, your guilty plea becomes public record.
Q: What is a Trial By Written Declaration (TWD)?
A: If completed correctly, it could be a viable option when challenging a stop sign ticket. However, many of those offering this service with a money-back guarantee online do not even have a licensed attorney associated with them. To understand all of your options thoroughly, ask Bigger & Harman during an initial complimentary consultation. We are members in good standing of the CA Traffic Defense Bar Association.
References:
The CA DMV Traffic Violator Course Webpage.
The Bankrate.com article, Average cost of car insurance in CA for 2025.
CA VC Section 22450, Special Stops Required
The Cornell Law Legal Information Institute, WEX Definition: Mistake of Fact.