Traffic Court – Plead Not Guilty – Trial by Written Declaration Print this Page
Phone: (415) 444-7180
Email: traffic@marincourt.org
Location: Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C-10
Office Hours: 8:00am - 3:00pm




Individuals may plead 'not guilty' and contest their citations without having to make a court appearance by submitting a written declaration to the Court. These trials are given the same consideration as any other trials heard in court. Typically, individuals elect to request trials by written declaration when they do not live in Marin County.

An individual may request a trial by written declaration in person at the Traffic Clerk's Office or by mail by submitting a written request to the Court on or before the due date on the citation or courtesy notice. Be sure to include current address and docket number with the request.

Individuals are required to post the full bail when the Request for Trial by Written Declaration is filed with the Court. At that time the Court will direct the citing officer to also submit a written declaration and will give the officer a due date to return the declaration. Once the judicial officer has reviewed both declarations, the Court will issue the decision by mail.

Pursuant to Vehicle Code section 40902, defendants are required to post full bail when requesting a Trial by Written Declaration. If defendants fail to remit full bail at the time of the Request for Trial by Written Declaration, the Court will not grant these requests and will return requests to the defendants.

Below are links to the required forms for requesting trials by written declarations:

TR-200 - Instructions to Defendant
TR-205 - Request for Trial by Written Declaration
TR-220 - Request for New Trial (Trial de Novo)
Overview

The Traffic Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., except holidays. The office is located on the Court Floor of the Marin County Civic Center Hall of Justice in Room C-10. For directions to the Civic Center, please click here.

The Marin County Civic Center has three drive-though arches. From the middle arch lobby only, take the elevator to the "C" floor. After passing through security screening, go left to the end of the hall to Room C-10. For individuals wishing to speak with a clerk in this office, please call (415) 444-7180 between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Calls are answered in the order received.

The mailing address is:
Marin County Superior Court - Traffic
P.O. Box 4988
San Rafael, CA 94913-4988

Spanish Language Services

The Traffic Clerk's Office has several Spanish speaking clerks to assist the public and some forms are also available for review in Spanish. In court hearings, there is usually a Spanish language interpreter in the courtroom to assist non-English speakers at these hearings.

 
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