A BLIND ALLEY? THE LIMITATIONS OF THE TRIAL BY WRITTEN DECLARATION PROCESS
California Vehicle Code allows for certain traffic infraction citations to be challenged in writing rather than necessitate you appear in court. On the surface, this seems like a fantastic deal for commercial drivers — they can defend their driving record without taking the time off work to appear in court. However, the trial by written declaration (TBD) process can be less like a shortcut and more like a blind alley: If you drive a big rig, you may find yourself boxed in. It’s not always the best choice. A MISLEADING OFFER Some “mail-order” lawyers have built their whole practice around the TBD process. They offer to send in the letter without any court appearance needed on your part. They may even advertise that if your case isn’t dismissed by the court, you can just attend traffic violators school (TVS) to keep your record clean. While this can be the case for your average driver, this isn’t true for CDL drivers. If you were driving a commercial vehicle when you received a ticket, you aren’t eligible for TVS. A LACK OF OPTIONS By automatically choosing the TBD process, you may be eliminating better options on your case. Each court handles tickets a little differently. Sometimes, it’s better to contest the matter in court. That’s why it’s important to hire a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of each option. When your driving record is on the chopping block — and by extension your future employment — you probably don’t want a defense that is literally paper-thin. The TBD can leave you forgoing other options that probably would have worked out better in your particular case. YOUR ROUTE PLAN Rather than always taking the short cut, you deserve to know every legal path you have open to you. Traffic attorneys who regularly defend CDL holders, like Mark Bigger and Paul Harman, can help you plan the best possible route out of your difficult situation. That could mean fighting a ticket outright, arguing for lighter charges, pursuing other tactics fit for your specific situation, or perhaps the TBD process. However, don’t roll the dice on an inflexible TBD process without considering your other options. If your future as a CDL holder is on the line, give us a call at 661-859-1177. Se habla español.
PUZZLE
AQUARIUS ASH CHOCOLATE CUPID DONOR
GROUNDHOG LOVE PISCES PRESIDENTS ROMANCE
ROSES SKIING SNOWBANK SUGAR VALENTINE
(661) 859-1177 | 3
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter