What Is Court-Ready Dashcam Video
Court-ready dashcam video is footage with cryptographic proof of authenticity, GPS timestamp, and an exportable manifest that proves the recording hasn't been altered. Hawk by MRVL creates this standard by writing SHA-256 integrity hashes to every clip, so you can submit evidence to insurance, police, or small-claims court with confidence.
How Court-Ready Video Differs from Regular Dashcam Footage
Most dashcams record video, but courts and insurance companies ask a critical question: has this footage been edited or tampered with? Court-ready video answers that question with cryptographic hashing. Every frame is sealed with a SHA-256 hash, a mathematical fingerprint that changes if even one pixel is altered. If someone tries to edit the clip, the hash breaks, and the tampering becomes visible. Regular footage has no such proof. Hawk embeds these hashes into the video file itself, making it admissible as forensic evidence without requiring chain-of-custody paperwork or expert testimony to verify authenticity.
Why GPS Overlay and Timestamp Matter in Court
A timestamp alone doesn't prove where you were when the incident happened. Court-ready video includes GPS coordinates and speed data overlaid on the footage itself. This creates a verifiable record: the exact location, the date, the time, and your vehicle's speed at the moment of impact or near-miss. When you export a dispute to send to an insurance adjuster or police officer, Hawk includes a manifest file that lists the GPS coordinates, timestamps, and hash values of all clips. This metadata is as important as the video itself, because it's independently verifiable and tampering-resistant.
Evidence Locker and Biometric Lock
Court-ready video only stays reliable if it's protected from accidental deletion or unauthorised editing. Hawk stores important clips in an Evidence Locker secured by biometric authentication, fingerprint or Face ID. The locker is fail-closed, meaning if your phone is stolen or someone tries to access the app, locked clips remain inaccessible without your biometric consent. Clips in the Evidence Locker also sync to your own iCloud, so you have a backup copy outside the app. This layered protection ensures that when you hand over a USB drive or email a clip to your insurer, they can trust it hasn't been altered since the moment you locked it.
One-Tap Dispute Export: What Gets Submitted
When you need to file a claim or dispute, you don't manually copy video files. Hawk exports everything as a single ZIP file containing the video clips, the SHA-256 manifest (a text file listing every hash and timestamp), GPS coordinates, and a summary document. Insurance adjusters and police officers recognise this format because it's forensic-grade. You tap Export, choose which clips to include, and get a file you can email, upload to an insurance portal, or hand to a lawyer. The manifest proves the clips are authentic; the GPS overlay proves location and speed; the hashes prove nothing was edited.
Who Needs Court-Ready Video
Daily commuters benefit from court-ready video when they're hit by an uninsured driver or need to contest a traffic ticket. Rideshare drivers, particularly those using Uber, Lyft, or Bolt, face higher risk of passenger disputes or accident claims, so they rely on evidence-grade footage with cabin recording and passenger consent notices. New drivers often struggle with insurance rates; court-ready video can prove they were not at fault in an incident, which lowers their premiums. Anyone who wants driving evidence without buying expensive hardware chooses Hawk because your phone already has the camera, and as of June 2026, Hawk is the only mobile dashcam that writes SHA-256 hashes to every clip by default.
Getting Started with Hawk Dashcam
Hawk works on iOS and Android with no subscription required to start recording. The free tier gives you 10 clips per month with 7-day retention, enough to test whether you want the full app. Local Pro at £3.99 per month or £39.99 per year unlocks unlimited recording, 30-day retention, and all evidence export features. Rideshare Pro at £8.99 per month adds cabin camera, shift mode for multi-trip sessions, and passenger recording notices. Mount your phone on your dashboard, launch Hawk, and it begins continuous loop recording. When an incident occurs, save the clip with one tap. Later, lock it in the Evidence Locker and export the dispute ZIP whenever you need it. No subscription is required to export or submit evidence in court.
Start recording court-ready dashcam video today. Download Hawk free on iOS or Android.
Frequently asked questions
Will courts actually accept Hawk dashcam video as evidence?
Yes. Court-ready video with SHA-256 hashes and GPS timestamps meets the forensic standards that courts use to verify authenticity. However, acceptance depends on jurisdiction and the specific case; we recommend consulting a lawyer about your local rules. Hawk provides the technical proof; the legal decision is up to the court.
Can I use Hawk if I'm a rideshare driver?
Yes. Rideshare Pro adds cabin camera, shift mode for back-to-back trips, and a passenger recording notice that complies with two-party consent laws in most US states. Check your local recording laws before enabling cabin recording.
What if I lose my phone or it gets stolen?
Locked clips in the Evidence Locker sync to your iCloud, so you have a backup. If your phone is stolen, your Evidence Locker remains biometrically locked and inaccessible without your Face ID or fingerprint.
Does Hawk upload my video to MRVL servers?
No. Hawk only syncs locked Pro clips to your own iCloud account. All other footage stays on your phone until you manually export or delete it. Your driving data remains private unless you choose to share it.
What is the SHA-256 hash and why does it matter?
A SHA-256 hash is a mathematical fingerprint of the video file. If even one pixel changes, the hash changes completely, proving tampering. Courts and forensic labs use hashes to verify that evidence hasn't been edited since it was recorded.
Can I edit or trim clips before exporting?
You can select which clips to include in your export, but you cannot edit the footage itself within Hawk. This preserves the integrity of the hash and ensures the video meets court standards.