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Yes! You can use AI to fill out Form TR-220, Request for New Trial (Trial de Novo) (Trial by Written Declaration—Traffic)

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Form TR-220, Request for New Trial (Trial de Novo) (Trial by Written Declaration—Traffic), page 1
Basic · 31/100Form Complexity Index

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What this form asks for

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The TR-220, Request for New Trial (Trial de Novo), is a legal document used in California by individuals who are dissatisfied with the court's decision in their traffic trial by written declaration. Filing this form is a formal request for a completely new trial, typically held in person before a judge. It is crucial to file this form within 20 days of the original decision's mailing date to preserve your right to a new hearing. Today, this form can be filled out quickly and accurately using AI-powered services like Instafill.ai, which can also convert non-fillable PDF versions into interactive fillable forms.
Fillable fields18
Pages1
Sections7
Form Complexity IndexBasic, 31/100

The AI checks your answers before you download

12 checks built for this form, so a wrong date or a missing answer is caught before anyone else sees it.

Item 1 Mailing Date Presence

This check verifies that the date field in item 1, indicating when the court's decision was mailed, is not empty. This date is the starting point for the 20-day filing deadline, making it a mandatory field for the request to be processed. If this date is missing, the clerk cannot determine if the request is timely and the form will be rejected.

Item 1 Mailing Date Validity

Validates that the date entered in item 1 is a real, correctly formatted date (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY) and is not a future date. An invalid or future date would make the 20-day deadline calculation impossible or incorrect. This check prevents data entry errors and ensures the legal timeline is based on a plausible event date.

Defendant Name Completeness

Ensures the 'DEFENDANT' field is filled out with the name of the individual involved in the case. This is a primary identifier for the legal proceeding and is crucial for associating the request with the correct person and case file. A form without a defendant name is unidentifiable and cannot be processed.

Case Number Completeness and Format

This validation confirms that the 'CASE NUMBER' field is not empty and that the entered value conforms to the expected format for the court. The case number is the unique identifier for the court proceedings, and its absence or incorrect format would prevent the clerk from locating the case file. Failure to provide a valid case number will result in the rejection of the request.

Citation Number Presence

Verifies that the 'CITATION NUMBER' field has been filled in. The citation number is a key reference to the original traffic violation and is used to cross-reference the case, especially in its early stages. Omitting this number can cause delays or rejection if the clerk cannot easily identify the original offense being contested.

Violation Specification Completeness

This check ensures that the text area in item 2, for specifying the violations, is not left blank. The user must state which specific violation(s) they are requesting a new trial for. A request that does not specify the grounds is considered incomplete and legally insufficient, and will be returned to the filer.

And 6 more checks
  • Submission Timeliness (20-Day Rule)
  • Signature Date Presence
  • Signature Presence
  • Printed Name Presence
  • Printed Name and Defendant Name Consistency
  • Logical Date Sequence

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How to Fill Out TR-220 Online for Free in 2026

What the AI walks you through.

  1. Navigate to Instafill.ai and upload or select the California Form TR-220.
  2. Provide your personal details and the court information, including the court's name and address, your name, case number, and citation number.
  3. Enter the date the court clerk mailed the 'Decision and Notice of Decision' (form TR-215) to you.
  4. Specify the traffic violations for which you are requesting the new trial.
  5. Review all the information populated by the AI to ensure it is accurate and complete.
  6. Date and digitally sign the form in the designated signature field.
  7. Download the completed TR-220 and ensure it is received by the court within the 20-day deadline.

Common Mistakes in Completing TR-220

The ones the AI is built to catch.

Entering the Incorrect Date in Item 1
This mistake occurs when filers enter the date they received the decision or the current date, instead of the exact mailing date from the 'Notice of Decision' (form TR-215). The 20-day deadline to request a new trial is calculated from this specific mailing date. An incorrect date will cause the court to miscalculate the deadline and likely deny the request as untimely, forfeiting your right to a new trial.
Missing the 20-Day Filing Deadline
The form explicitly states it must be *received* by the court within 20 days of the mailing date in Item 1, not just postmarked. People often miscalculate this window or wait until the last minute to mail the form. Missing this strict deadline results in an automatic denial of the request for a new trial, with no exceptions.
Using an Incorrect or Incomplete Case/Citation Number
Filers may transpose digits, confuse the case number with the citation number, or write them illegibly. These numbers are the primary identifiers for your court file. An error here means the clerk's office cannot locate your records, which will lead to the rejection of your request or processing delays that cause you to miss the filing deadline.
Forgetting to Sign the Form
Submitting an unsigned form is a common and critical error, often made in haste. An unsigned legal document is invalid and will be immediately rejected by the court clerk. This simple oversight can cause you to miss the strict 20-day filing deadline while you wait for the rejected form to be returned, thereby losing your chance for a new trial.
Providing Vague or Incomplete Violation Details in Item 2
The form requires you to specify the violations for which you are requesting a new trial. Simply writing 'speeding' or leaving it blank is insufficient, especially if the original ticket had multiple charges. This ambiguity can lead the court to reject the form as incomplete or misunderstand which charges are being contested, potentially limiting the scope of your new trial.
Submitting an Illegible Handwritten Form
When a form is filled out by hand, poor penmanship can make names, dates, and case numbers impossible for court staff to read accurately. This leads to data entry errors on the court's end or outright rejection of the form if it's unprocessable. To avoid this, it's best to use a fillable PDF; tools like Instafill.ai can convert flat, non-fillable PDFs into fillable versions to ensure perfect clarity.
Using the Wrong Court Name or Address
People often guess the court address or use a general county courthouse address instead of the specific branch that handled their case. Sending the form to the wrong location will cause significant delays as it gets rerouted. These delays almost always result in the form arriving after the 20-day deadline has passed, leading to a denial of the request.
Failing to Print Name Below the Signature
While a signature is required, it is often stylized and illegible. The 'TYPE OR PRINT NAME' field is there to ensure the court can clearly identify the filer. Forgetting to print your name can cause processing delays if the clerk cannot decipher the signature to match it with the case file.
Failing to List Any Violations in Item 2
In the rush to complete the form, some individuals forget to fill out Item 2 entirely, leaving the violation list blank. A request for a new trial with no specified violation is legally incomplete and has no basis. The court will reject it, as it's impossible to know what the defendant is appealing.
Confusing the Signature Date with the Decision Mailing Date
Filers sometimes mistakenly enter the decision mailing date from Item 1 on the signature line. The signature date should be the actual date you are signing the form. While not as critical as an error in Item 1, it reflects a lack of attention to detail and can cause minor confusion during processing.
Submitting the Form via an Unapproved Method
Not all courts accept filings via fax or email, and rules can vary by jurisdiction. Assuming you can submit the form electronically without confirming the court's local rules can lead to your request never being officially filed. Always check the specific court's website or call the clerk to confirm accepted filing methods (e.g., in-person, mail, e-filing) to ensure your request is received on time.
Incomplete Defendant Name
The defendant name must be written exactly as it appears on court records and the original citation. Using a nickname, an initial instead of a full middle name, or having a typo can create a mismatch in the system. This forces the clerk to do extra work to find your case and can delay the processing of your request. AI-powered tools like Instafill.ai can help prevent this by saving and auto-filling your name correctly across all documents.

Frequently Asked Questions About TR-220

 

Is it really free for 7 days?
Yes. You pay $0 today. Cancel before Nov 5 and you are never charged. Keep it, and it is $19.99 a month for 5 fills of your TR-220.
Can I fill other forms too?
This plan is for your TR-220: your own AI agent fills it as often as 5 times a month. To fill other forms and upload your own, choose a Professional plan from your account.
How do I cancel?
From your account, in two clicks, any time. No email, no call.
How does the AI fill out TR-220?
You answer a few questions in plain words, or upload a document you already have. The AI reads what you give it and puts each answer into the right field of TR-220, on every page, in seconds. It checks the answers against the form's own rules, and you review and change anything before you download, print or sign.
What happens to my information?
It is encrypted in transit and at rest, and it is never used to train AI.
How complex is TR-220 to fill out?
TR-220 has a Form Complexity Index of 31 out of 100, in the basic tier: 18 fillable fields across 1 page. Instafill.ai's AI fills it in under a minute, with every field there for you to review before you download.
What is the purpose of Form TR-220, Request for New Trial?
This form is used to officially request a new, in-person trial (a 'trial de novo') after you have received an unfavorable decision from a trial by written declaration for a traffic violation.
Who is eligible to file this form?
Anyone who has gone through a trial by written declaration for a traffic ticket in California and is dissatisfied with the court's decision can file this form to request a new trial.
What does 'trial de novo' mean?
A 'trial de novo' is a new trial. When you are granted a trial de novo, the case is heard again from the beginning, as if the previous trial by written declaration had not occurred.
What is the deadline for submitting this form?
The court must receive this form within 20 days of the date the clerk mailed the decision from your written trial. This mailing date is what you must enter in item 1 of the form.
Where do I find the date for item 1 on the form?
The date for item 1 is the mailing date found on the 'Decision and Notice of Decision' (form TR-215) that the court sent you. It is crucial to use this specific date to calculate the 20-day deadline.
What information do I need to provide in the 'violations' section?
In this section, you must list the specific traffic violations from your ticket for which you are requesting a new trial. You can find these on your original citation or the court's decision notice.
Where can I find my Case Number and Citation Number?
Your Case Number and Citation Number are printed on the original traffic ticket and on all official court notices you have received, including the TR-215 decision form.
What happens after I submit Form TR-220?
After the court processes your timely request, you will be scheduled for a new, in-person trial. The court will send you a notice with the date, time, and location of your new trial.
Where do I submit the completed form?
You must submit the form to the same court that handled your trial by written declaration. The court's name and address are listed at the top of the form.
Do I need to attach any other documents to this request?
No, you typically only need to submit the completed and signed TR-220 form itself. Keep copies of all your documents, including the TR-215 decision, for your own records.
Can I use an AI tool to help me fill out this form?
Yes, services like Instafill.ai use AI to help you accurately auto-fill form fields with your personal and case information, saving time and reducing the chance of errors.
How can I fill out the Request for New Trial form online?
You can use a service like Instafill.ai to fill out the form online. Simply upload the TR-220 PDF, and the platform will guide you through completing all the necessary fields digitally.
What should I do if the PDF form I downloaded is not fillable?
If you have a non-fillable or 'flat' PDF, you can upload it to Instafill.ai. The service can convert it into an interactive, fillable form that you can easily complete on your computer.
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