Guest post by Mark Gallagher
§ 20-60.3(6) Va. Code § 46.2-320 et.seq. Code § 63.2-1937. Business Driver's Occupational Professional Recreational. Delinquency Threshold: 90-day delinquency or arrears in the amount of $5,000 or more; or failure to comply with a subpoena, summons or warrant. My driver’s license has been suspended or denied for an offense which makes me eligible for a restricted driver’s license; therefore, I request that the court grant a restricted driver’s license for travel to and from the following locations for the following purpose(s): (Court use only) APPROVED (a). The General Assembly has posted the motor vehicle code online, along with the rest of the Virginia code. You might be interested in Chapter 8, Regulation of Traffic.This is the section that contains all of the traffic laws in the state. Other sections refer to titling and registering vehicles, driver's licenses, motor vehicle dealers, and penalties for violating the laws. The deadline to pay driving tickets in VA will depend on whether you need to make a pre-court or post-court payment. Drivers who choose to submit a pre-court traffic tickets payment plead guilty to their charges and waive their right to a court hearing. Post-court payments cannot be provided on your trial date. Virginia’s governor announced plans this week to stop suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid court fines and fees, a change that could affect more than 600,000 people.
Mark Gallagher is a colleague who practices law in LA County, CA. Andrew only handles cases in the state of Virginia.
DMV Court Codes for LA County Traffic Tickets
For some reason DMV court codes are one of the more closely guarded secrets in the California traffic court system. Many DMV employees and traffic court clerks treat the handbook as some sort of holy grail that can not be shared with the public eye. For some reason these government employees are trained to believe that if the public had access to this information, complete anarchy would erupt.
So when you are trying to track down an old traffic ticket to fix a suspended drivers license, you end up playing this giant game of hide and go seek. The first step is finding out which ticket or tickets are actually causing the problem. This step can involve hours of your time wasted on the internet or trying to get the traffic court clerk to answer the tele (LA traffic courts don’t answer the , it’s just an automated system for credit card payments). Or maybe you had the pleasure of spending hours in line at the DMV or waiting on hold with the DMV. At some point you end up with a DMV printout or a scribbled note on the back of your hand with a citation number and a series of numbers known as the DMV court code. What is a DMV court code? It’s just a series of numbers that the California DMV and California court system use to track the location where your license problem originated. So if someone has placed a hold or suspension on your drivers license due to your failure to appear on a traffic ticket, we can use the DMV court code to figure where the ticket came from, go there, and fix it.
Why doesn’t the DMV just tell you the name of the courthouse?
Why doesn’t the DMV just list the courthouses by name or address instead of using the mystery DMV court codes? Why doesn’t the DMV publish the list of DMV court codes on their website or elsewhere to make this easy? Well those are both very good questions, but I have no answers. What I can tell you is that after 13 years of practicing traffic law in Southern California, I have now assembled my own cheat sheet. So if you have a DMV court code printout or some clerk somewhere gave you a DMV court code after you were in line or on hold for 3 hours, maybe this will help. I have been reading DMV printouts daily for the last decade or so and I am pretty good at translating them into English for my clients. I’m not fluent, but I speak a little DMV. To use my cheatsheet, simply match the DMV court code below to find the name of the courthouse and address where your problem originated.
Note that several courts use more than one DMV court code for the same location and the DMV court codes have changed several times over the years. Some of the codes on this list may have changed again, and some of these codes may be incorrect. This is the list I have assembled and I find it helpful, but if you try to use it and it doesn’t magically solve your traffic ticket problems please don’t sue me. By using this list you assume the risk of driving all over Los Angeles, fighting traffic, paying for parking, and standing in long lines only to be rudely informed that the DMV court code has changed, the courthouse has been closed due to budget shortfalls, or they only accept traffic matters on the third Thursday of the month. (or at least that what usually happens to me) If you really get stuck and want to have it fixed by a professional, give me a call at 800-797-8406, or email me at attorneygallagher@gmail.com
My Best Effort at Cracking the DMV Court Codes for LA County
19100-Los Angeles Traffic Court (Hill Street) 111 N Hills Street, Room 105E, Los Angeles, CA
19110-Pomona Traffic Court (Criminal Clerk) 400 Civic Center Plaza Room #101 Pomona, CA
Va Drivers License Replacement
19111-Glendale Traffic Court 600 E Broadway Rm 273 Glendale, CA
19112-Burbank Traffic Court 300 E Olive Ave, Room 225 Burbank, CA
19120-Lancaster Traffic Court 42011 4th Street, West, Lancaster, CA
(Super secret extra code for Lancaster Traffic Court 19413)
19121-San Fernando Traffic Court (Third Street) 900 Third Street San Fernando, CA
(Super secret extra code for San Fernando Traffic Court 19496)
19130-Pasadena Traffic Court 300 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA
19140-Van Nuys Traffic Court (Sylmar Avenue) 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA
(This is NOT the standard Van Nuys traffic clerk, see 19498 below)
19150-Long Beach Traffic Court (Criminal Clerk) 415 W Ocean Blvd #401, Long Beach, CA
19160-Compton Traffic Court (Criminal clerk? Collections?) 200 West Compton Blvd #902, Compton, CA
19170-Norwalk Traffic Court 12720 Norwalk Blvd #101, Norwalk, CA
19180-Torrance Traffic Court 825 Maple Avenue Rm 100, Torrance, CA
(Torrance Traffic Court criminal clerk? Secret code 19486)
(Old code For Torrance Traffic Court 19487)
19190-Santa Monica Traffic Court (Room 101) 1725 Main Street, Rm 101, Santa Monica, CA
(Old code For Santa Monica Traffic Court 19437)
19200-Los Angeles Traffic Court (Metro juvenile) 1945 S. Hill Street, Room 808, Los Angeles, CA
19210-Los Angeles Traffic Court (Eastlake juvenile) 1601 Eastlake Ave, Rm J, Los Angeles, CA
19405-Los Angeles Traffic Court (Airport court) 11701 La Cienaga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
19410-Alhambra Traffic Court 150 W Commonwealth Ave, Alhambra, CA
(Alhambra Traffic Court super secret extra code 19482)
19420 Beverly Hills Traffic Court 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA
19425 Burbank Traffic Court P.O. Box 750 Burbank, CA
19430-West Covina Traffic Court 1427 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, CA
19432 Chatsworth Traffic Court 9425 Penfield Way, Chatsworth, CA
19435 Compton Traffic Court 200 West Compton Blvd, Compton, CA
19440 Downey Traffic Court 7500 East Imperial Highway, Downey, CA
19443 East Los Angeles Traffic Court 214 S. Fetterly Ave, Los Angeles, CA
19446 El Monte Traffic Court 11234 E. Valley Blvd #100, El Monte, CA
19450 Glendale Traffic Court 600 East Broadway, Glendale, CA
19455 Inglewood Traffic Court One Regent Street, Inglewood, CA
19460 Long Beach Traffic Court (Traffic clerk) 415 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA
19462 Los Angeles Traffic Court (Grand) 110 N Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
Va Drivers License Codes
19463 Los Angeles Traffic Court (Metro) (Ground Zero for LA Traffic Tickets)
1945 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA
19466 Bellflower Traffic Court 10025 East Flower Street, Bellflower, CA
19468 Santa Clarita Traffic Court 23747 W Valencia Blvd, Santa Clarita, CA
19470 Pasadena Traffic Court 300 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA
19472 Malibu Traffic Court 23525 Civic Center Drive, Malibu, CA
Ca Dmv County Codes
(Old codes For Malibu Traffic Court 19473, 19650, 19651)
19475 Pomona Traffic Court (Traffic Clerk-Muni building) 350 W Mission Blvd, Pomona, CA
19480 Huntington Park Traffic Court 6548 Miles Avenue, Huntington Park, CA
(Old code For Huntington Park Traffic Court 19488)
19484 Santa Monica Traffic Court (Room 214) 1725 Main Street, Rm 214, Santa Monica, CA
19490 Whittier Traffic Court 7339 S Painter Ave, Whittier, CA
19495 Hollywood Traffic Court 5925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA
19497 San Pedro Traffic Court 505 South Centre Street, San Pedro, CA
19498 Van Nuys Traffic Court (Erwin Street Mall) 14400 Erwin Street Mall, 2nd floor, Van Nuys, CA
19499 Los Angeles Traffic Court (West LA) 1633 Purdue Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
19610 Catalina Traffic Court (Avalon) 215 Sumner Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Unless otherwise noted, contact the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court at 703-228-4500 or email for more information on these programs.
Argus House
Aurora House
Basics of Safe Driving Program
CASA Program
Community Service/Restitution
Detention Diversion Program (DDP)
Driver’s License Ceremony
Gang Intelligence Program
Girls’ Outreach
Internship Program
Mediation Program
Probation and Curfew Enforcement (PACE) Program
Psychological Services
Public Relations Program
School Probation Counselor Program
Shoplifter Program
Street Law Program
Substance Abuse Program
Training Program
Truancy Awareness Group (TAG) Program
Truancy Program
Victim Awareness Program
Argus House
- Community-based group home for at-risk boys ages 13-17, specifically juveniles who have committed delinquent offenses — or have been labeled as a child in need of supervision — and who display the motivation and ability to change
- Emphasizes personal accountability, competency development, leadership and positive functioning in the community
- Works closely with parents, siblings, schools, probation counselors, employers and community members to help residents make lasting changes in their lives
- Allows residents to continue attending their own schools while in the program, which residents usually complete within 12 months
- Provides residents with opportunities to hold appropriate employment, participate in sports and other school activities and to spend weekend time with their families
- Uses peer groups, study hall, anger management training, social skills training, therapeutic recreation, community service projects, parent groups and multifamily activities in its daily program
For more information, contact Group Home Manager Chris Edmonds at 703-228-0422.
Aurora House
- Serves females ages 13-17 who reside in Arlington or the City of Falls Church and who demonstrate significant problems that prevent them from living with parents or family members
- Deals most frequently with school truancies and home runaways who often have other underlying problems such as highly troubled child abuse histories, promiscuity, low self-esteem, depression, chronic authority-figure conflicts, problematic peer relationships and gang-member associations
For more information, visit Aurora House or call 703-237-6622.
Basics of Safe Driving Program
- Increases driving awareness and skills for inexperienced adolescent drivers involved in traffic offenses
- Encourages parents to provide ongoing driving supervision and instruction
CASA Program
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) workers are trained volunteers appointed by judges to speak up for children in the juvenile court system. They:
- Advocate for the best solution for a safe, permanent home for the children with whom they are matched.
- Work alongside attorneys, social workers, treatment providers and other professionals to advocate for the child.
- If you are interested in becoming a CASA worker or want more information about the program call 703-836-1820 or go to www.scanva.org
Community Service/Restitution
Gives adjudicated juveniles and adults an opportunity to repay the community for the injustice they have caused.
- Offenders perform community service through a court order or a diversion program.
- Offenders are referred to Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington County (OAR) for work-site supervision and assignment.
- OAR assesses a participant’s skills, education, experience and talent; finds placements that consider school and work schedules; and matches the community service requirements with a community need and request.
Detention Diversion Program (DDP)
- Offers a home-detention alternative to the secure detention of juveniles awaiting criminal court proceedings by allowing them to return home with their parents/guardians instead of being detained at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Home
- Releases juveniles upon their agreement to follow the strict conduct rules as stated in the DDP Contract/Court Order
- Closely monitors each juvenile’s behavior at home, at school and in the community to ensure compliance with the court orders
Driver’s License Ceremony
- Formal Driver’s License Ceremony takes place the first Wednesday of each month to distribute new driver’s licenses to persons under the age of 18.
- Letters are mailed to drivers inviting them to attend a ceremony. Drivers who are under 18 years of age must attend with a parent or legal guardian.
- Attendees should dress appropriately for court and arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the ceremony to check in.
- Drivers must surrender their Learner’s Permit and Driver Education Certificate at the time of the ceremony. The ceremony lasts about an hour.
- If you cannot attend the ceremony, you may attend any subsequent ceremony. The Clerk’s Office will keep the license until it expires. The Chief Judge may waive the ceremony requirement for good cause. Call the Clerk’s Office at 703-228-4495 for more information
Gang Intelligence Program
- Focuses on enhancing community safety through the enforcement of court-imposed rules such as curfew and court orders prohibiting juvenile delinquents from having contact with gang members or “wannabe” gang members
- Holds rule violators accountable through the currently developed continuum of sanctions
- Shares intelligence on gang activity and members
- Helps prevent gang recruitment and activity
Girls’ Outreach
- A year round partial day treatment program offering structure and supervision to adolescent girls ages 13-17 who reside and attend school in Arlington Virginia or the City of Falls Church
- Client referrals are accepted from the Court, schools, DHS or the youth’s family
- Fosters self-esteem through psycho educational groups, structured activities, community service and therapeutic recreation
- Emphasizes education through mandatory study hall, homework assistance and collaboration with Arlington Public Schools
- Encourages personal responsibility through weekly house meetings, goal setting, behavior management and a level system
- Program is monitored and advised by the Juvenile Court Psychologist
- Program provides case management and collaborates with other agencies in order to make appropriate referrals to address client needs and concerns
Internship Program
- Provides a volunteer opportunity for individuals interested in the probation/parole field to gain work experience serving Arlington’s juveniles, adults and families
- Allows interns to interact with court staff, judges, lawyers, schools and social service agencies
Mediation Program
Mediation can reduce the time, cost and stress of resolving conflicts. Family issues can be resolved through mediation. Skilled mediators help participants work with each other to resolve their disputes in the areas of child custody, visitation and child support. Mediation promotes trust, cooperation and respect, while giving voice to the emotions which arise with such stressful issues.
Custody and visitation cases are reviewed at intake to see if they are eligible to be referred to attend a mediation orientation session which is at no cost to the participants. Following the orientation session, the parties may choose to go forward with mediation with a mediator of their choosing. The mediator is there to help focus on relevant issues and assist in finding useful and creative methods to solve problems. If the parties are able to reach a resolution, the mediator will assist the parties in drafting a written agreement which will then be presented to the Court.
Probation and Curfew Enforcement (PACE) Program
- Provides after-hours curfew checks on targeted probationers and parolees
- Involves Arlington police officers working with a court probation counselor to make checks on high-risk juveniles
- Helps decrease the chances of probationers and parolees engaging in unacceptable behavior due to the unpredictable times these checks occur
- Is popular with parents, as it takes some of the responsibility of “reporting” their children away from them and places it on the court
Project “Open Book”
- Distributes thousands of books for all ages to court clients in the waiting area and through the Intake and Probation Units
- Distributes books on an individual basis to a child or parent when requested by a staff member
- Receives most books from the Reading Is Fundamental program, which encourages child literacy and positive communication among family members
- Also receives books and other donations from interested community members and organizations
Psychological Services
- Includes services for adults and juveniles such as individual and family therapy, group therapy, skills training, mental health evaluations and psychological testing
- Includes consultation and training for probation counselors and special program staff, with direct and consultative services available to the Juvenile and Adult Units, Argus House, Aurora House and Girls’ Outreach program
- Includes a Psychology Externship Program for graduate students working toward doctorate degrees in clinical psychology at local universities — under supervision, externs provide individual, family and group therapy; mental health evaluations; and psychological testing to all court units and programs
Public Relations Program
- Educates the public about juvenile justice in Arlington through court tours and various speaking engagements
- Makes presentations in various settings ranging from major universities and community colleges to high schools and churches (civic and parent groups and schools comprise the majority of the presentation requests)
To request a speaker for your group, email the Public Relations Program coordinator. tcoffman@arlingtonva.us
School Probation Counselor Program
- Provides intensive supervision and assistance to adjudicated juveniles with a history of school problems
- Provides counselors at all Arlington high schools for cases referred from juvenile probation counselors
Shoplifter Program
- Is a diversion and court-referral program for first-time petty larceny offenders
- Educates juveniles and their parents on the harm that shoplifting causes
- Involves speakers such as retailers, commonwealth attorneys, defense attorneys and court staff members
- In lieu of a court appearance, requires juveniles to attend a 2.5-hour program session, pass a test on presented material and complete a community service assignment
- Sends those who repeatedly fail to appear for the program to court
Street Law Program
- Reduces delinquency and improves compliance with probation conditions and the overall judicial system response
- Runs monthly and requires all Detention Diversion Program clients and their parents to participate
- Involves a self-assessment component in which participants reflect on their offense; address behavior and options; and analyze the positive and negative consequences of each option
Substance Abuse Program
- Performs on-site drug screening to identify and deter illegal substance abuse and to promote an alcohol- and drug-free lifestyle
- Conducts a substance abuse assessment that includes the adolescent version of the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-A2)
- Uses screenings and assessment for substance abuse prevention, early intervention, deterring usage, recommending treatment and relapse prevention
- Provides substance abuse education classes to the Argus House and the Girls’ Outreach program
Training Program
- Provides 20 hours of in-house training per year to court staff across all service units
- Surveys staff for their training interests and needs
- Coordinates locations for training
- Maintains contact with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) regarding DJJ-sponsored training
- Distributes the Arlington County Training schedule and informs staff of area training opportunities, which include live presentations, televised instruction and interactive webcasts on topics such as gang information, suicide, truancy, teen behavior and victim’s rights
Truancy Awareness Group (TAG) Program
- Provides education and information to parents of children with a history of unexcused absences from school
- Helps parents understand their role in their child’s school performance and absences
- Encourages parents to maintain open communication with both school personnel and their child to avoid truancy’s negative impact on the child’s life and livelihood
Truancy Program
- Created following the Code of Virginia amendment that requires schools to address attendance issues following five unexcused absences
- Addresses these absences through continued parent contact and conferences
- Requires schools to bring truancy-related issues before the Intake Service Unit following seven unexcused school absences
- Schedules interagency meetings with the Department of Human Services, school representatives, the student, the parents and the truancy coordinator to determine a solution to the truancy situation
- Following the interagency meetings, refers families to the Community Assessment Team, if necessary
- With the occurrence of continued student absences without parental permission, sends the student before a Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court judge for a situation review and additional solutions
Victim Awareness Program
- Heightens juvenile offenders’ awareness of the impact their crimes have on the victims, the victims’ families and friends and the community
- Uses methods such as victim videos, discussions, role-playing exercises, victim testimonies and written exercises to achieve successful outcomes