Fighting a traffic ticket in Sacramento County? New tool lets you contest online
Fighting traffic tickets in Sacramento County is now easier with a new digital tool that allows residents to contest infractions without a trip to the courthouse.
Sacramento County residents now can access “Online Trial by Declaration” on the Judicial Council’s newly expanded MyCitations digital platform. The “Online Trial by Declaration” portal is available on the Sacramento Superior Court website.
It’s the latest addition to MyCitations and is designed for infraction violations that do not require a court appearance. People with certain traffic violations can now submit a written statement and upload any required supporting paperwork online. Judicial officers then review the materials and issue their rulings through the digital system.
How does the process work?
The online tool uses the same steps as the Trial by Written Declaration — just allowing you to submit online instead of by mail.
There are two primary forms that may need to be filled out, according to the California Courts. A Request for Trial by Written Declaration (form TR-205), which is where you can explain what happened and include photos and other evidence; and Attached Declaration (form MC-031), which is where witness statements may be included. The courts’ website says witness statements should be signed and include the sentence, “I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that this statement is true and correct.” All of the forms will be in the tool.
The online tool does not accept physical or video evidence. Those would have to be submitted in person or by mail.
You will usually also have to pay the full fine when submitting the paperwork, the California Courts said. The court keeps the money until the judge makes a decision — if you win or the fine is lowered, the court will send back what’s owed to you.
The courts system website said the court will tell the issuing officer about your trial. At that point, the officer can submit their own written statement by a certain date.
What kinds of traffic violations are eligible?
Users can explain what happened, attach evidence, then submit the materials electronically. The traffic judge will consider the defendant’s and issuing officer’s statements before rendering a decision.
The judge’s decision will be emailed to you.
Use the online tool if:
- You were issued a ticket for infraction violations only;
- You want to contest the violation and complete your trial online;
- The due date to address the ticket has not passed; and
- The ticket or courtesy notice does not require a mandatory court appearance.
People who have already appeared in court; have already been sentenced, fined or paid their ticket; or have the ability to pay their ticket are not eligible to use the online option.
“We are excited to offer a streamlined, user-friendly option that gives our community greater flexibility and accessibility,” said Brenda Allen, director of operations at the Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, in Sacramento’s College Greens neighborhood, where traffic cases are processed. “The ability to contest a ticket online — on your schedule — helps remove barriers and enhances access to justice for everyone.”
The online feature is also available for Amador, Imperial, Nevada, San Francisco and Siskiyou counties.
This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM.
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