Question 1

How does ClerkHero work?

Accepted Answer

ClerkHero works in 3 easy steps: (1) Upload your ticket or enter details manually, (2) Answer a few simple questions about your situation, (3) Download ready-to-send documents to fight your ticket by mail—no court needed.

Question 2

What types of traffic tickets can ClerkHero help with?

Accepted Answer

ClerkHero handles most California traffic infractions including speeding tickets, red light violations, stop sign violations, cell phone tickets, seat belt violations, and other moving violations. We cannot help with DUI, reckless driving, hit-and-run, or criminal charges - these require attorney representation.

Question 3

Do I need to appear in court?

Accepted Answer

No! That's the beauty of Trial by Written Declaration - you contest your ticket entirely by mail. You never have to take time off work, find parking, or sit in a courtroom. Everything is handled through written documentation.

Question 4

What is Trial by Written Declaration?

Accepted Answer

Trial by Written Declaration is a legal process available in California that allows you to contest traffic tickets through written statements instead of appearing in court. You submit a TR-205 form with your defense arguments, the officer has 30 days to respond, and a judge reviews both sides to make a decision.

Question 5

How much does ClerkHero cost?

Accepted Answer

ClerkHero charges a flat fee of $79 per ticket. This covers everything: legal research, defense generation, TR-205 form completion, and submission guidance. No hidden fees, no hourly billing, no surprise charges. You only pay when you're satisfied with your defense package.

Question 6

Why is ClerkHero only $79 when attorneys charge $300-800?

Accepted Answer

We've automated and streamlined the legal research and document preparation process that attorneys do manually. By using technology and proven legal templates, we can offer the same quality defense documents at a fraction of the cost, while maintaining professional standards.

Question 7

Are there any hidden fees or additional costs?

Accepted Answer

No hidden fees whatsoever. The $79 fee covers everything ClerkHero provides. You'll need to pay court-required bail (refunded if you win) and certified mail costs (~$5-10), but these aren't ClerkHero fees - they're standard court requirements for any written declaration.

Question 8

When do I have to pay?

Accepted Answer

You don't pay anything upfront. Start your case for free, complete our questionnaire, and review your generated defense. You only pay the $79 fee when you're ready to download your complete defense package. No risk, no commitment until you're satisfied.

Question 9

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ClerkHero offers a Dismissal Guarantee for eligible cases. If your qualified citation is not dismissed after the court issues its final decision, we will refund your ClerkHero fee. To qualify for a refund:  • You must submit your Trial by Written Declaration (TR-205) by the court’s deadline
• You must follow the provided submission instructions
• You must provide documentation of the court’s final ruling
• The citation must not be dismissed Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the court’s final decision. Important Notes ClerkHero prepares and delivers a customized digital defense package based on the information you provide. Once your defense package has been generated and delivered, refunds are not available for: • Change of mind
• Choosing not to submit your documents
• Missing court deadlines
• Pleading guilty or accepting traffic school before a ruling
• Submitting modified or materially altered legal arguments
• Providing incomplete or inaccurate case information If your ticket is dismissed, including dismissal due to the officer not responding, your case is considered successfully resolved and no refund applies.

Question 10

What's the success rate for fighting traffic tickets with ClerkHero?

Accepted Answer

Our overall success rate is approximately 68%. This includes automatic dismissals when officers don't respond (30-40% of cases) plus wins when judges rule in favor of our legal arguments. This is significantly higher than the 15-25% success rate of DIY attempts.

Question 11

How long does the process take?

Accepted Answer

The complete Trial by Written Declaration process takes 60-90 days from submission to final decision. This includes 30 days for the officer to respond and 30-60 days for judicial review. ClerkHero generates your defense documents within 24-48 hours of payment.

Question 12

What happens if the officer doesn't respond?

Accepted Answer

If the citing officer fails to respond within 30 days, your case is automatically dismissed and you receive a full refund of your bail. This happens in approximately 30-40% of written declaration cases. It's one of the key advantages of this process.

Question 13

What if I lose my case?

Accepted Answer

If you receive a guilty verdict, you have options: (1) Pay the fine and accept the points, (2) Request a Trial de Novo (completely new trial in person) within 20 days, or (3) Appeal to a higher court. Many people win on their second attempt with Trial de Novo using different strategies.

Question 14

What documents do I need to submit?

Accepted Answer

You'll submit: (1) Completed TR-205 form, (2) Copy of your citation, (3) Your written declaration statement (generated by ClerkHero), (4) Any supporting evidence, and (5) Bail payment (refundable). ClerkHero provides everything except the bail payment and mailing costs.

Question 15

Is this legal? Can I really contest my ticket by mail?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Trial by Written Declaration is a legal right guaranteed by California Vehicle Code Section 40902. It's been available since 1967 and is used by thousands of drivers annually. Courts are required by law to offer this option for most traffic infractions.

Question 16

What if I already paid my ticket?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, once you've paid your traffic ticket, you've waived your right to contest it. Payment is considered an admission of guilt. However, you may have options for clearing points from your record through traffic school, depending on your driving history and violation type.

Question 17

Can I still get traffic school if I use ClerkHero?

Accepted Answer

If you lose your written declaration, you can request traffic school during your Trial de Novo or when paying your fine, subject to eligibility requirements. However, if you win with ClerkHero, you won't need traffic school since your case is dismissed entirely.

Question 18

Will this affect my insurance or driving record?

Accepted Answer

If you win your case with ClerkHero, there's no impact on your insurance or driving record - the charges are completely dismissed. If you lose, the impact is the same as if you had paid the original ticket. Fighting the ticket gives you a chance to avoid any negative consequences.

Question 19

How do I upload my ticket?

Accepted Answer

You can take a photo of your ticket with your phone or scan it. Our system uses advanced OCR technology to extract all the important details automatically. If you don't have a digital copy, you can also enter the information manually using the details from your citation.

Question 20

What if your system can't read my ticket?

Accepted Answer

If our OCR system has trouble reading your ticket, you can simply enter the information manually. We'll guide you through exactly what information is needed. The most important details are the citation number, violation code, court information, and due date.

Question 21

Is my personal information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we take data security seriously. All personal information is encrypted in transit and at rest. We use industry-standard security measures and never share your information with third parties. Your data is only used to generate your defense documents.

Question 22

What if my court date is soon?

Accepted Answer

You need to submit your TR-205 form BEFORE your scheduled court date. We recommend submitting at least 10 days early to account for mail delivery. If your court date is within a few days, contact the court to request an extension or consider paying for expedited shipping.

Question 23

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Accepted Answer

Missing the deadline to submit your written declaration typically results in automatic conviction, full fines, points on your record, and possible additional penalties. Courts have zero tolerance for late submissions, which is why we emphasize submitting well before the deadline.

Question 24

How should I mail my documents?

Accepted Answer

Always use certified mail with return receipt requested. This provides proof of delivery and protects you if there are any disputes about timing. Keep all receipts and tracking numbers. Regular mail is not recommended for legal documents with strict deadlines.

Question 25

How is ClerkHero different from hiring a traffic attorney?

Accepted Answer

Attorneys charge $300-800+ and often use the same Trial by Written Declaration process we do. ClerkHero provides the same quality legal arguments and professional documentation at a fraction of the cost through automation and technology. The main difference is price and convenience.

Question 26

Why not just fight it myself?

Accepted Answer

DIY attempts have only a 15-25% success rate compared to our 68%. Most people don't know proper legal arguments, make procedural errors, or accidentally admit guilt in their statements. ClerkHero provides professional-quality defenses based on thousands of successful cases.

Question 27

What about online traffic school instead?

Accepted Answer

Traffic school doesn't dismiss your charges - you still pay the full fine and the violation stays on your record (hidden from insurance). ClerkHero aims for complete dismissal, meaning no fine, no points, and no record. If you lose, you can still do traffic school as backup.

Question 28

What if I have questions during the process?

Accepted Answer

We provide customer support throughout the process. You can contact us via email or through our help center for guidance on completing forms, understanding next steps, or clarifying any part of the process. We're here to help you succeed.

Question 29

Can you help with multiple tickets?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Each ticket requires a separate $79 fee since each citation needs individual defense preparation and court submission. However, we can handle multiple tickets simultaneously and often find efficiencies when working on similar violations from the same time period.

Question 30

What if I'm not a California resident?

Accepted Answer

ClerkHero works for any traffic ticket issued in California, regardless of your state of residence. The Trial by Written Declaration process is the same whether you live in California, another state, or even another country. Your residency doesn't affect eligibility.

Question 31

Do you mail my documents to the court for me?

Accepted Answer

No. ClerkHero prepares your defense package and provides detailed mailing instructions. You are responsible for printing, signing, and mailing your TR-205 documents to the court.

This ensures accuracy and allows you to control your submission directly.

Question 32

Is ClerkHero a law firm?

Accepted Answer

No. ClerkHero is a self-service document preparation platform. We generate structured, violation-specific defenses based on the information you provide.

We do not provide legal representation or appear in court on your behalf.

Question 33

How customized is my defense?

Accepted Answer

Your defense is generated based on:
• Your violation code
• Your citation details
• Your driving history inputs
• Court-specific formatting requirements

The structure follows proven defense frameworks for TR-205 cases. It may reference established legal standards, but it is tailored to your violation type and case inputs.

Question 34

What does “Win or Full Refund” mean?

Accepted Answer

If your eligible case is not dismissed after the court issues its final decision, we refund your ClerkHero fee.

Refund eligibility requires:
• The ticket qualifies for Trial by Written Declaration (TR-205)
• Accurate information was provided
• You submitted the defense by the court deadline
• You did not plead guilty or accept traffic school before the ruling

Refunds are processed after the final court outcome is issued.

Question 35

What if I decide not to submit the documents?

Accepted Answer

If you choose not to submit your defense after receiving your documents, you are not eligible for a refund.

ClerkHero’s service is the preparation and delivery of your defense package.

Question 36

What if I lose and the court requires traffic school?

Accepted Answer

Traffic school or fine assessments are determined solely by the court.

If your eligible case is not dismissed and all refund conditions are met, your ClerkHero fee will be refunded regardless of the court’s penalty outcome.

Question 37

What if I believe the documents are incorrect?

Accepted Answer

If you notice any factual inaccuracies before submission, contact support immediately. We will correct verified input errors.

You are responsible for reviewing your defense documents before mailing.

Question 38

When am I NOT eligible for a refund?

Accepted Answer

Refunds do not apply if:
• You did not submit the TR-205 defense
• You submitted after the court deadline
• You accepted traffic school or pleaded guilty before the ruling
• You provided inaccurate or incomplete case information

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Frequently Asked Questions