[Read this glossary entry on atharkhan.com](https://atharkhan.com/glossary/ticket/) A **ticket** is a citation, commonly issued for an alleged traffic violation. It identifies the allegation and the process for responding. Receiving a ticket is not, by itself, a finding that the person committed the violation. ## In California Family Law The California Courts' [traffic-ticket guide](https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/traffic) distinguishes paying a ticket, correcting an eligible fix-it violation and asking for a trial. The appropriate choices and consequences depend on the ticket. Parking citations and DUI matters follow different procedures from the ordinary traffic cases covered by that guide. Read the citation and the court's instructions for the response date. A missing courtesy notice does not mean the ticket can be ignored. Paying or entering a plea may have consequences different from contesting the allegation. A driving incident can become relevant to a family dispute when it raises a supported concern about transporting a child safely. [[Cal. Fam. Code § 3011|Family Code section 3011]] requires consideration of the child's health, safety and welfare in the applicable custody determination. A ticket should not be treated as an automatic custody ruling or substituted for analysis of the actual facts. **Example:** A parent receives a traffic citation while driving a child. The parent must address the traffic matter through its proper process. Any separate request concerning child transportation or custody requires relevant evidence and the family court's consideration; the citation alone does not decide it.