[aigel]

I have done several trial by written declaration for myself, family and friends. Gotten off several times with it with the local town police force. NEVER with the CHP. I believe the CHP has some incentive for the cops to write the letter.

You can do the trial by written declaration, it is very easy. However, by filing it, you give up your eligibility to go to traffic school. It may be better to bite the bullet, pay up and go to traffic school.

That said, if your trial by written declaration doesn't go in your favor, you can get a new trial (trial de novo) and still go to court as usual with our without legal help. You can get the judge to let you go to traffic school pretty easily - I hear. Never made it that far.

Hope this helps.

G