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TR-235Mandatory

Officer's Declaration

California · Judicial Council of California · Effective July 1, 2025

This form is used by a law enforcement officer to write down facts that support the traffic charges against a person in a trial by written declaration. It asks the officer to confirm details about the incident, the equipment used, and the evidence.

The court describes it as: A law enforcement officer uses this to explain the facts that support the charge(s) against you in a trial by written declaration.

Open the official PDFfrom Judicial Council of California

Where this fits in a case

Hearing

Stage: Hearing

This form is used when a defendant has chosen to have a trial by written declaration for a traffic violation. The officer must complete and return it to the court by a certain date.

Prepared by the court or clerk.

Official instructions

How-to guides published by the court for this form.

Common questions

Who fills out this form?
The form must be completed by the arresting or citing officer. The instructions state the officer must check statements, date, and sign it.
What is this form for?
It is an Officer's Declaration used for a Trial by Written Declaration for traffic violations. It explains the facts supporting the charges.
Does the officer need to provide personal knowledge?
The officer must declare that, except where stated otherwise, they have personal knowledge of the facts written on the form.

Revision history

No changes recorded since we started tracking this form on October 9, 2026. The current version took effect July 1, 2025.

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