Following too closely
Following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.
Hawaii Revised Statutes §291D-7 allows a defendant to contest a civil traffic infraction by mailing a Written Statement instead of appearing in court. Use the "Answer to Notice" printed on the back of the citation — Option 2 to deny the infraction, or Option 3 to admit and mitigate. Attach a separate, legible written statement of defense (plus photos, diagrams, or witness statements if any). Do NOT send payment; the court rules in writing and mails notice of any amount owed. The answer must be filed within 21 calendar days of the citation issue date. If you denied the infraction (Option 2) and lose the written contest, you have 30 days to request a Trial de Novo — a brand-new in-person trial. Mitigation decisions (Option 3) are final and not appealable.
Defenses our AI considers (12)
- Equipment fixed — correctable violationhistorical success ~80%Equipment violations (window tint, exhaust, lights, plates, wipers, etc.) are correctable in every supported state. Proof of repair signed by a qualified inspector resolves the citation administratively.
- Documentary cure — proof on date of citationhistorical success ~75%Many "failure to produce" charges (insurance, registration, license) are dismissed on proof the document existed and was valid on the date of citation. This is codified in most state fix-it / correctable-violation statutes.
- Sign obscured, missing, or recently changedhistorical success ~50%A driver cannot be held to a regulation that was not reasonably communicated. An obscured, damaged, missing, or recently-changed sign at the cited location is both a mistake-of-fact defense and a due-process notice defect.
- Statute of limitations / speedy-trial violationhistorical success ~45%Every state imposes statutory deadlines between citation, arraignment, and trial. When the state misses a jurisdictional deadline — including officer-declaration deadlines in TBWD proceedings — dismissal is mandatory, not discretionary.
Our AI drafts 3 options per case, tailored to your ticket's facts. You choose or regenerate.