Handle your California traffic ticket online without starting with a lawyer or court visit.
Takes about 2 minutes. No payment required to check.
Plain English
Trial by Written Declaration is California's mail-in process for contesting some traffic tickets. Instead of going to court first, you send the court your written statement and required forms by mail.
Before you pay
Paying a ticket can mean accepting the violation. Depending on the ticket, that may affect DMV points, traffic school, and insurance. ClerkHero helps you check your options before you decide.
Check My TicketTake a photo of your ticket or enter the details. ClerkHero checks the court, violation code, and deadline.
Review what could happen if you pay and whether a written declaration path may fit your ticket.
Get your forms, ticket details, statement structure, and filing checklist organized for review.
You print the packet, sign the forms, and mail everything to the court by the deadline.
The court reviews the written materials and mails a decision. Timelines vary by court.
Example completed case
Every case is different, but this shows an actual court outcome after a written-defense packet was submitted.
Found Not Guilty
VC 22350
Orange County Superior Court
Case: 7LRJ004CM (redacted)
Verify at occourts.org
Results vary by case.
ClerkHero helps organize your ticket details, TR-205 paperwork, filing checklist, mailing steps, and next actions into one California-specific workflow.
Violation code, court, deadline, and ticket facts.
The written declaration forms and packet structure.
What to review, print, sign, include, and mail.
Court address checks, mailing steps, and proof-of-mailing reminders.
Key dates so the packet is not left until the last minute.
A clearer final review before you decide what to submit.
After you mail your packet, the court reviews the written materials. The officer may respond. The court then mails a decision. Timelines vary by court.
1
The court receives your written declaration packet
2
The officer may send a written response
3
The court reviews the written materials
4
The court mails a decision
5
You follow the instructions in the decision letter
Most eligible tickets handled through Trial by Written Declaration do not require an initial in-person court appearance.
Refund applies to ClerkHero's service fee and is subject to the refund-policy terms. Court bail, fines, and government fees are separate.
Read refund policyThe workflow is focused on California traffic ticket paperwork, written declaration packet review, and mailing steps.
You see what to review, print, sign, include, and mail before your deadline.
Trial by Written Declaration is California's mail-in process for contesting some traffic tickets. Instead of going to court first, you send the court your written statement and required forms by mail.
Upload your ticket to review deadlines, traffic school issues, insurance impact, and written declaration options before deciding what to do next.
Check My TicketTakes about 2 minutes. No payment required to check.
