Lynnwood Traffic InfractionAttorney
Defending Clients During Traffic Infraction Hearings in Snohomish County
A traffic infraction, or ticket, is a non-criminal offense that does not involve any jail time. If you have been cited with a traffic infraction, you only have a short period of time to respond by either paying the ticket or requesting a hearing to either mitigate the fine or contest the infraction itself.
Are you looking to contest your traffic ticket? Call The Law Offices of Lance Fryrear today at (425) 224-7075 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our traffic infractions lawyer in Lynnwood.
Common Traffic Infractions in Washington
In Washington State, traffic infractions are typically considered less severe than criminal offenses. However, they are still serious matters that can result in fines, points on your driving record, and even a suspended license. Traffic infractions are violations of state or local traffic laws, and they do not carry jail time.
Some of the most common traffic infractions include:
- Speeding
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Reckless or careless driving
- Failure to signal lane changes
- Illegal parking
Although they don’t carry criminal penalties, traffic infractions can still result in substantial financial consequences and affect your future driving privileges.
What are the Potential Consequences of Traffic Infractions in Washington?
The consequences of a traffic infraction in Washington vary depending on the type of violation, but they generally include:
- Fines: Each traffic infraction carries a fine, which can vary based on the specific violation. For example, speeding tickets in Washington can range from $100 to $500, depending on how much over the speed limit you are going.
- Points on Your Driving Record: Most traffic infractions add points to your driving record. Accumulating too many points could result in higher insurance premiums or even the suspension of your license. Certain violations, such as reckless driving or excessive speeding, can result in more points and harsher penalties.
- Increased Insurance Premiums: Insurance companies often increase premiums for drivers with traffic infractions on their records, especially if the violation was serious or involved speeding.
- Driver’s License Suspension: If you accumulate too many points on your record or fail to pay fines, you risk having your driver’s license suspended or revoked. For example, certain infractions, such as driving without insurance or driving with a suspended license, can lead to a suspension.
- Court Appearance: In some cases, you may be required to appear in court to contest the infraction or dispute the penalties. If you fail to appear, you could face additional fines or even an arrest warrant.
How Long Do You Have to Respond to a Traffic Ticket?
Your response is required within 15 days of the date you were personally served (if an officer gave you the ticket directly) or within 18 days of the date of mailing if you received the ticket in the mail. If you fail to respond within the specified time period, or if you request a hearing and then fail to appear, the court will enter an order finding that you committed the infraction, and you will have to pay the fine plus a monetary penalty.
Notice of your failure to respond will be sent to the Department of Licensing, who may suspend your license. Additionally, if you fail to pay the fine and penalty, it will be sent to collections.
How Do You Request a Mitigation or Contested Hearing?
If you want to request a mitigation or contested hearing, you must check the appropriate box on the back of your ticket and return the request to the court using the address provided on the back of the ticket. Make sure to include your name and current mailing address because the court will provide notice of your hearing date and time by mail.
- If you agree that you committed the infraction but want to explain what happened and ask the court to reduce the fine, then you should request a mitigation hearing.
- If, however, you do not agree that you committed the infraction, you should request a contested hearing. At a contested hearing, you will have the opportunity to contest the officer's version of events and argue your own.
The standard of proof at these hearings is "preponderance of the evidence," which means that the City or State must prove that, more likely than not, the violation occurred.
It is extremely important to have an experienced attorney by your side who is familiar with the court rules and procedures and will be able to focus on aggressively questioning the evidence against you.
