Plea Of Not Guilty

This online system is an optional way to contest a citation by requesting an online trial by declaration for infraction violations for which a personal appearance is not required pursuant to Government Code Section 68645.4. You have the right to an in-person trial before a judge (rather than an online trial) if you so choose.

In an online trial by declaration, you will submit your statement, along with any evidence you have, to the court to explain what happened.  The officer who wrote the ticket will also get to submit their written statement.  A judge then reviews both and makes a decision that will be emailed to you within 45 days.

If you decide to have a trial through this online tool, you will not have the right to a trial de novo.  A trial de novo means trying the matter anew, the same as if it had not been heard before and as if no decision had previously been rendered.

Use this tool if:

• You were issued a ticket for infraction violation(s) only
• You wish to contest the violation (plea not guilty) and conduct your trial online
• The due date to take care of your ticket has not passed
• Your ticket or courtesy notice does not say that you must appear in court

Do not use this tool if:

• You have already appeared in court
• You have already been sentenced, fined or paid your ticket

Request for Trial by Written Declaration

Option 2: Court Trials

If you want to have a court trial and to pay your full bail, please click the Pay Now button at the top of this page and follow the instructions. Otherwise, follow the instructions below.

You may elect to have the case decided by a judicial officer in court at which both you and the citing officer present the respective cases. The court location of the trial is indicated near the bottom of the citation (Yreka).

It is our court’s policy that full bail be deposited into the court’s trust account before a case is set for trial.

If you would like to set the case for court trial without appearing on the arraignment date, you may request the forms from the court. When you have completed the forms, send them to the appropriate court location along with the full bail by the due date shown at the bottom of the citation.

When the court receives the completed forms along with the full bail, the clerk will set the case for trial and notify you of the trial date at the address you provide on the forms.

If the court receives the bail without the required forms to set the case for trial, the bail will be forfeited, the case closed with a conviction, and that information sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

California courts are under no obligation to send bail notices. However, most courts, including ours, send one courtesy bail notice to the address written on the citation. The notice indicates the original bail amount, without proof of correction(s), if applicable. If the court receives no response from this bail notice, or if the continuance date lapses, you may be found guilty in absentia.  You will be notified of this ruling and have 20 days to pay, provide proof of corrections, or request an appearance date.  If no response to this notice, your case will then be referred to a collection agency.

If the case has been turned over to collections see Trial in Absentia and Collections.

Please Take Note: You may ask the court at arraignment or visit the MyCitations online tool to request your ability to pay due to financial hardship.  You may schedule an appearance in court for arraignment without deposit of bail.