What Is a TR-205 Form? California’s Trial by Written Declaration Form Explained

The TR-205, officially titled “Request for Trial by Written Declaration,” is a California Judicial Council form that you file with the court to contest a traffic infraction without appearing in person. It is the required form for initiating a Trial by Written Declaration under California Vehicle Code Section 40902.

What the form includes

• Your personal information, including your name, address, and driver’s license number.
• Your citation details, including the citation number, violation date, and the Vehicle Code section you were cited for.
• A statement of facts section where you write your factual account of what happened.
• A declaration under penalty of perjury confirming that your statement is true and accurate.
• Your signature and date.

How to get the form

The TR-205 is available for free download from the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov. Many county courts also include it with the courtesy notice they mail after you receive a citation.

If you use TicketClear, we generate a completed TR-205 with your information and your statement of facts already filled in, ready for your signature.

How to fill it out

The personal information and citation details sections are straightforward. Copy the information directly from your citation and your driver’s license.

The statement of facts section is where most people get stuck. This is a blank space where you need to write a factual narrative explaining your version of what happened. The court reads this alongside the officer’s statement and makes a decision based on both.

What you submit with the form

Along with your completed TR-205, you submit:

• Your bail deposit, which is the full amount of the fine listed on your citation or courtesy notice. This is refunded if you are found not guilty.
• Any supporting evidence, such as photographs, diagrams, or documents that support your statement. These should be referenced in your statement of facts.

Everything is mailed to the court address listed on your courtesy notice, or in some counties, submitted through the MyCitations online portal.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing the deadline. Your TR-205 must be received by the court before your citation due date.
• Forgetting the bail deposit. The court will not process your declaration without payment.
• Writing opinions instead of facts. Judges are looking for what happened, not how you feel about speed limits.
• Leaving the statement of facts too vague. Specific details are more persuasive than general statements.