Answering a Traffic Ticket
HRS 291D-6 — an answer within 21 days: pay, contest, or explain, in person or in writing
A person who receives a notice of traffic infraction answers it within 21 days of the date it was issued, signed and with an address for the court's mail. The notice comes with a preaddressed envelope to the violations bureau of the district court.
Who handles this in Hawaii: Hawaii State Bar Association, Lawyer Referral and Information Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Hawaii directory.Holding a paper like this? Read my paper can read one for you, free with an account.
| Answer | How |
|---|---|
| AnswerAdmit it | HowPay the total on the notice by mail, in person, online or by phone |
| AnswerDeny it | HowRequest a hearing to contest it, or send a written statement of the grounds instead of appearing |
| AnswerAdmit it and explain | HowRequest a hearing on mitigating circumstances, or send a written explanation instead |
- At a contested hearing, the court may consider the officer's notice and written report instead of the officer appearing, and may subpoena the officer and other witnesses.
- The court decides whether the infraction is proved by a preponderance of the evidence. If not, it dismisses with prejudice.
- Where the answer is a written statement, the court mails its decision within 45 days of the answer's postmark.
No answer in 21 days. If no answer comes within 21 days, the court enters a default judgment and mails notice of it, and the total is due within 30 days of that judgment.
The assessment cannot exceed the maximum fine for the infraction, and the court considers a person's finances where disclosed. A person who cannot pay may get more time or community service instead, and anyone whose finances change before paying in full may ask for a hearing to modify it.
Sources for this section (4)
- HRS 291D-6 — Answer required
- HRS 291D-7 — Court action after answer or failure to answer
- HRS 291D-8 — Hearings
- HRS 291D-9 — Monetary assessments
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Hawaii attorney.