What is the MyCitations OTBD portal?

MyCitations is a California courts platform at mycitations.courts.ca.gov. The Online Trial by Declaration module lets you contest eligible traffic citations digitally — submitting your written declaration, uploading evidence, and paying your bail deposit through the website instead of by mail.

Does OTBD help me write my declaration?

No. The portal only handles submission. It does not guide you through defenses, identify applicable legal arguments, or help you structure a persuasive case. TicketClear prepares your complete declaration so you arrive at the portal with a professional, evidence-based document ready to upload.

My county does not offer OTBD. Can I still contest my ticket?

Yes. If OTBD is not available in your county, you contest through the traditional mail process — printing your declaration, signing it, and mailing it to the court with your bail deposit. TicketClear prepares your declaration for any California county regardless of submission method.

Is OTBD the same as a Trial by Written Declaration?

Yes. OTBD is the same legal process as a traditional Trial by Written Declaration under CVC 40902 — the only difference is digital submission through MyCitations instead of mailing. The deadlines, outcome options, and de novo trial rights are identical.

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How to Use California's Online Trial by Declaration System

Updated April 28, 20263 min readWritten Declaration

For decades, contesting a traffic ticket in California meant either showing up to court in person or mailing a written declaration to the courthouse. Now there is a third option. California is rolling out Online Trial by Declaration through its MyCitations website, and it is changing the way people fight traffic tickets.

What Is Online Trial by Declaration?

Online Trial by Declaration (OTBD) is a module within the California courts' MyCitations platform that allows you to contest eligible traffic citations entirely online. You submit your written statement, upload any evidence, and pay your bail deposit through the website. The issuing officer submits a response electronically. A judge reviews both sides and notifies you of the decision by email. No courthouse visit. No stamps. No certified mail receipts.

Which Counties Offer It?

As of early 2026, OTBD is live in six counties:

Amador County
Imperial County
Nevada County (live since December 2024)
Sacramento County (live since December 2025)
San Francisco County (live since December 2024)
Siskiyou County

Two additional courts are expected to go live by April 2026, and up to five more will begin onboarding before the end of the year. If your county does not yet offer OTBD, you can still contest your ticket through the traditional mail process. The legal mechanism is exactly the same.

How to Use It

Visit mycitations.courts.ca.gov and look up your citation using your ticket number and personal information.
Select the Online Trial by Declaration option for your case.
Submit your written statement and upload any supporting evidence — photographs, documents, or other materials.
Pay your bail deposit through the system. This is not a fine payment. If the judge rules in your favor, it is refunded.
The court notifies the citing officer, who files a written response.
The judge reviews everything and issues a decision by email.

What OTBD Does Not Do

The portal is a submission tool, not a legal strategy tool

MyCitations does not analyze your citation, identify the strongest defense strategies for your violation, structure your argument for persuasive impact, or tell you what evidence matters in your county. It gives you a text box and a submit button.

Writing a strong declaration requires understanding the specific elements of the violation you were cited for, the procedural requirements that apply, and the kinds of arguments that resonate with judges. A generic statement like "I do not believe I was speeding" is not going to get you very far.

How TicketClear Fits In

TicketClear prepares your Trial by Written Declaration so that when you go to submit through OTBD — or through the mail — you have a complete, professionally structured case ready to go. You provide the details of your citation through our guided intake process. We generate a declaration tailored to your violation code, county, and circumstances. You review it, sign it, and submit through whatever channel is available.

The expansion of OTBD removes one of the biggest friction points in the process. But submission access is only half the equation. What you submit is what determines the outcome.

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