TR-500-INFO
INSTRUCTIONS TO DEFENDANT FOR REMOTE VIDEO PROCEEDING
A court may by local rule permit remote video arraignments and trials for traffic infraction cases. (Cal. Rules of Court, rule
4.220.) If the court where your case is filed permits remote video proceedings (RVP), you may be able to appear by video
as allowed by local rule at a remote location designated by the court without having to appear in person in court. RVP are
available in cases involving Vehicle Code infractions or local ordinances adopted under the Vehicle Code. The procedure
does not apply to traffic offenses that involve drugs or alcohol or are filed in Informal Juvenile and Traffic Court. The
procedure provides a convenient process for resolving cases by consideration of disputed facts and evidence with the use
of two-way audiovisual communication between the court and a local facility. Defendants who request to appear by RVP
must waive (give up) certain rights that apply to trial of criminal offenses, including traffic infractions. The instructions
below explain procedures for requesting RVP for traffic infraction cases:
1. To request arraignment and trial on the same day, you may file a Notice and Waiver of Rights and Request for
Remote Video Arraignment and Trial (form TR-505). To request RVP for arraignment or trial on separate days, you
may file a Notice and Waiver of Rights and Request for Remote Video Proceeding (form TR-510).
2. Return the completed and signed form to the clerk with payment of bail as ordered by the court. A completed form
TR-505 or TR-510 with a deposit of the required bail payment must be received by the clerk by the appearance
date on the Notice to Appear citation or continuation date granted by the court. If the form is received after the due
date or without deposit of bail as required, the court may require a court appearance or bail deposit to schedule a
trial. Failure to file the form and deposit bail as required by the due date may subject you to other charges,
penalties, assessments, and actions, including a civil assessment under Penal Code section 1214.1 of up
to $300 and a hold on your driver’s license.
3. When the clerk receives a timely request for RVP with payment of the bail as ordered by the court, the court will
rule on the request and provide notice of the court’s decision on eligibility for RVP. If the court denies the request,
the court may order you to respond within 10 court days of the notice of the order to schedule an arraignment or
trial or appear in court. If the court approves the request, the court will notify you and the officer of the extended
date and location to appear. The court may grant a request by the officer who issued the ticket and any other
witnesses to appear in court to testify and be cross-examined while you appear at the remote location.
4. After a remote video trial is completed, if you are dissatisfied with the court's judgment, you may file an appeal
under California Rules of Court, rules 8.901–8.902 within 30 days of the judgment. A new trial (“trial de novo”) is not
allowed.
Always include your citation number in any correspondence with the court.
5. IMPORTANT: You have the right to appear in court for an in-person arraignment without deposit of bail
and trial at the court. If you appear in court for your case, your rights include:
• The right to be represented by an attorney employed by you;
• The right to request court orders without cost to subpoena and compel the attendance of witnesses and the
production of evidence on your behalf;
• The right to appear in person in court before a judicial officer for an arraignment to be informed of the charges
against you, to be advised of your rights, and to enter a plea without deposit of bail;
• The right to request that a court trial be scheduled without bail for a date that is after your arraignment in court;
• The right to have a speedy trial;
• The right to be physically present in court at all stages of the proceedings including, but not limited to, presentation
of testimony and evidence and arguments on questions of law at trial and sentencing; and
• The right to have the witnesses testify under oath in court and to confront and cross-examine witnesses in court.
By voluntarily requesting to appear for arraignment and/or trial by RVP, you will agree to waive (give up):
• Your right to appear in person in court before a judicial officer for arraignment and/or trial;
• Your right to a speedy trial within 45 days; and
• Your right to be physically present in court for trial and sentencing and all stages of the proceedings, including,
but not limited to, presentation of testimony and evidence and arguments on questions of law, and confrontation
and cross-examination in person of the officer who issued the ticket and other witnesses.
Page 1 of 1
Judicial Council of California
TR-500-INFO [Rev. Sept. 1, 2015]
INSTRUCTIONS TO DEFENDANT FOR REMOTE VIDEO PROCEEDING
Cal. Rules of Court,
rule 4.220
www.courts.ca.gov
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