Do I have to appear in person to contest a California traffic ticket?

No. Every California traffic courthouse listed here accepts Trial by Written Declaration (TBWD) by mail. You pay the bail, mail form TR-205, and the court rules on your case in writing.

How long do I have to file a TBWD in California?

California gives you until your scheduled arraignment or due-date to file. Most drivers have roughly 30 days from the citation date; confirm the exact date on your courtesy notice.

Which California counties offer ability-to-pay reductions through MyCitations?

Amador, Imperial, Nevada, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Siskiyou counties currently participate in California’s statewide MyCitations portal for ability-to-pay relief.

California· Courthouse Directory

California Traffic Courts

Every courthouse below accepts Trial by Written Declaration filings by mail. Pick the courthouse named on your citation — your case number is routed there.

Courthouses

Counties covered

23 of 23

TBWD filing window

~30 days

From citation date

Need to pay your ticket bail?

California requires a bail deposit before a Trial by Written Declaration can be considered. Each courthouse below links directly to its county’s online pay portal. If you live in Amador, Imperial, Nevada, Sacramento, San Francisco, or Siskiyou county, you can also apply for an ability-to-pay reduction through MyCitations before filing.

California Traffic Courts

Los Angeles County

San Diego County

Orange County

Riverside County

San Bernardino County

Santa Clara County

Alameda County

Sacramento County

Contra Costa County

Fresno County

Kern County

Ventura County

San Francisco County

San Mateo County

San Joaquin County

Stanislaus County

Sonoma County

Tulare County

Solano County

Monterey County

Santa Barbara County

San Luis Obispo County

Napa County