Can You Ignore a Red Light Camera Ticket in California?
One of the most common questions drivers ask after receiving a red light camera ticket in the mail is:
“Can I just ignore it?”
The short answer is no — you should not ignore a red light camera ticket in California.
While red light camera tickets absolutely can be successfully challenged ignoring the violation altogether hoping it will go away is a serious mistake.
Legal experts point to the California Supreme Court decision in People v. Goldsmith and assume red light camera tickets are unenforceable. That is incorrect. The ruling did not eliminate liability for camera violations, and courts continue to prosecute them statewide.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
The consequences depend in part on the county where the violation occurred but the risk is real.
Los Angeles County Example
If the ticket directs you to a branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court, the base fine is typically around $490.
If you ignore the ticket:
The court will mark your case as a Failure to Appear (FTA).
The balance will increase with additional civil assessments and penalties.
The debt will be referred to collections.
The unpaid debt will be sent to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) for enforced collection (bank levy).
Once the Franchise Tax Board becomes involved, the consequences escalate significantly.
The FTB has authority to:
Intercept state tax refunds
Issue bank levies
Notify your employer
Initiate wage garnishment
At that point, the ticket is no longer just a traffic matter it becomes a state-enforced debt.
What About Your License?
In some Los Angeles County camera cases, the DMV may not immediately place a hold on your driver’s license because the registered owner and the driver are not always the same person.
However, that does not mean the ticket disappears.
If you later receive another citation directing you to the same courthouse, the outstanding red light camera case will likely surface. The court may require you to resolve it before proceeding with the new matter.
In many other California counties, red light camera violations are treated exactly like officer-issued citations. Ignoring them can lead to:
A reported conviction to the DMV
License suspension
Additional fines and civil assessments
A true Failure to Appear with warrant exposure
The Bottom Line
A red light camera ticket in California cannot simply be ignored.
It may not result in an immediate arrest warrant in every county but unpaid citations can:
Go to collections
Be transferred to the Franchise Tax Board
Trigger employer notification
Lead to wage garnishment
That is far more costly than addressing the ticket properly.
The smarter approach is to review your options. Many red light camera tickets can be challenged successfully with the right defense strategy. An experienced California traffic ticket expert can evaluate your case and determine whether dismissal is possible.
Ignoring it is risky. Fighting it strategically is a better move.