Form Tr 235 California – Fill Out and Use This PDF

The TR-235 California form is a document used in the state's judicial system, specifically for handling traffic violations through a process known as trial by written declaration under Vehicle Code section 40902. This approach allows defendants to contest their citations without physically appearing in court, with police officers providing their testimony in written form on the TR-235. If you've received a traffic citation in California and prefer to challenge it from the comfort of your home, click the button below to start filling out your TR-235 form.

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Form Tr 235 California PDF Details

In California, individuals who receive a traffic citation have the option to contest the charge through a process known as trial by written declaration, as outlined in Vehicle Code section 40902. This method allows defendants to argue their case without physically appearing in court. The TR-235 form plays a crucial role in this process, serving as the arresting or citing officer's declaration. This document requires the officer to detail the circumstances of the offense, including their personal knowledge of the events, whether the offense occurred in their presence, and the condition and use of any equipment that contributed to the evidence of the violation. Additionally, the form addresses the maintenance and visibility of traffic signs, signals, or devices related to the infringement, as well as the methods used to determine the speed of the involved vehicle, if applicable. It also covers whether an engineering and traffic survey (ETS) was required or on file with the court, the officer's training in radar or laser use, and the calibration records of the speed measurement device. Through the TR-235 form, officers declare under penalty of perjury that their statements are accurate, providing a written account of the incident that the court will use to determine the outcome of the case. This process represents an important aspect of California's traffic law enforcement, emphasizing the state's commitment to procedural fairness and the accuracy of traffic violation charges.

Question	Answer
Form Name	Form Tr 235 California
Form Length	2 pages
Fillable?	No
Fillable fields	0
Avg. time to fill out	30 sec
Other names	ca000635 tr 235 form

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TR-235

	NAME OF COURT:			FOR COURT USE ONLY
	STREET ADDRESS:
	STREET ADDRESS:
	MAILING ADDRESS:
	CITY AND ZIP CODE:
	BRANCH NAME:
	TELEPHONE:

		PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
			vs.
	DEFENDANT:

		OFFICER'S DECLARATION
	(Trial by Written Declaration—Vehicle Code, § 40902)

RETURN DATE:			ARRESTING/CITING OFFICER NAME/ID NO.:	CITATION NUMBER/DATE ISSUED:

AGENCY NAME:			OFFICE [IF ANY]:	CASE NUMBER:

INSTRUCTIONS: The defendant in the case listed above has opted for trial by written declaration pursuant to Vehicle Code section 40902. The officer named above shall check all statements that apply, date, sign, and complete and return this form to the court named above by the return date.

1. OFFICER'S DECLARATION: Except as expressly stated below, I have personal knowledge of the facts stated herein. The events

occurred in the County of (specify):

at about the date, time, and

location stated in the citation.

At the time of the citation I was a peace officer on-duty

for the exclusive or main purpose of traffic enforcement

not for the exclusive or main purpose of traffic enforcement, and I

was

was not wearing a uniform

as required by the Vehicle Code section 40800. Any vehicle used by me complied with Vehicle Code section 40800.

The offense(s) were not committed in my presence.

Any statement(s) made by the defendant were voluntary, recorded

verbatim

not verbatim

and is/are reasonably complete and accurate in substance.

Safety is an element of the violation alleged. In my opinion, the defendant's operation of the vehicle was unsafe.

Any equipment used by me to gather evidence in support of this violation was properly maintained, in good working order,

and I have been trained in its use.

Any traffic sign, signal, or device mentioned was official and properly located, maintained, in good working order, and

clearly visible to a driver of a vehicle controlled, governed, or affected by such sign, signal, or device.

Any diagram(s) submitted is/are not exact or to scale, but is/are reasonably complete, accurate, and fairly depict(s) the

location, situation, and events described.

Speed supported by the patrol vehicle's speedometer was a significant factor. Pursuant to department policy, the patrol

vehicle used in connection with this citation was officially calibrated on (date):

The result was (specify):

The calibration was considered by me in determining defendant's speed.

Defendant was identified by Driver's License

or other (specify):

2.THE METHOD(S) USED TO DETERMINE THE SPEED OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLE WAS/WERE:

Odometer	e.	Laser
Visual estimation		Aircraft
Visual estimation	f.	Aircraft
Pacing		Other (specify):
Pacing	g.	Other (specify):
Radar (see items 4, 5, 6, below)

3.	Engineering and traffic survey (ETS) not required per Vehicle Code section 40802, subdivision (b).
4.	ETS completed within five (5) years prior to date of alleged violation.
4.
	a.	ETS attached.
	a.	ETS attached.

	b.	ETS on file with the court.
5.	ETS completed within five (5) and seven (7) years prior to date of alleged violation.
5.

	a.	ETS attached.
		(Continued on reverse)

Form Adopted for Mandatory Use

Judicial Council of California TR-235 [New January 1, 2000]

OFFICER'S DECLARATION

(Trial by Written Declaration—Traffic)

WEST GROUP

OFFICIAL PUBLISHER

Vehicle Code, § 40902

PEOPLE v. DEFENDANT (Name):

CASE NUMBER:

5.b.

ETS on file with the court.
Arresting/citing officer has successfully completed a radar operator course of not less than 24 hours approved and
certified by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
Laser or other electronic device was used to measure speed. Arresting/citing officer successfully completed an
additional training course of not less than two hours approved and certified by POST.
The speed measuring device used to measure the speed of defendant (Serial No:	)

meets or exceeds the minimum operational standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

and was last calibrated on (date):	by an independent certified laser/radar repair
and testing/calibration facility.
Equipment accuracy check conducted on (date):	at (time):
and again on (date):	at (time):

ETS completed within seven (7) and ten (10) years prior to the date of the alleged violation.

a.		A registered engineer has evaluated the section of the highway in question and has determined that no significant
		changes in roadway or traffic conditions have occurred.
		All of the elements marked under item 5, above, which are applicable.
b.

7.FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES (Type or print only. State what happened):

Continued on attachment.

8.OTHER EVIDENCE AND STATEMENTS (Explain any other evidence and statements):

Continued on attachment.

9.DIAGRAM(S) (specify):

Attached.

10. Number of pages attached: _____

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Date:

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(TYPE OR PRINT NAME)

(SIGNATURE OF OFFICER)

ID Number:

Agency NCIC Number:

TR-235 [New January 1, 2000]