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Unified Payment (UP) Program
Beginning October 1, 2017, individuals with traffic related fines in multiple jurisdictions in King County will have an easier and less expensive way to pay court-mandated fines through the new Unified Payment (UP) Program. This program also lifts the hold on a person's driver's license before the fines are paid in full.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Must have one or more tickets in a court in King County.
2. Tickets must have a hold or potential hold against the individual's driver's license.
3. Must have an ability to pay (those without the ability to pay should contact the court in which the ticket is filed).
4. Must take care of any outstanding warrants issued by a court in King County.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Court customers with suspended licenses due to failure to respond/pay contact a court where they have fines to receive the necessary documentation needed in order to complete the online application.
2. Using the documentation provided by the court, the customer will submit an online application.
3. The payment agency works with individuals to determine a realistic payment plan, as low as $25.00 per months, which includes a $7.00 fee.
4. Once the payment agency receives the first installment, participating courts will be notified and they will notify the WA State Department of Licensing that the hold can be removed from the person's driver's license.
APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM
A program application can be obtained by contacting the payment agency at 1-844-544-5242, online at www.KingCountyUP.com or by contacting any court of limited jurisdiction within King County.
For more information, please call 206-433-1840.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why is this program needed? Shouldn't people just pay their fines?
Court fines can be a barrier for people, particularly those with limited economic means. In 2016, 66,000 people in King County had court fines that could lead to automatic suspension of their driver's license. Because fines are often collected through a collection agency, base fines can grow exponentially due to interest and collection fees. This program allows people to pay back the fines without collection and interest fees, and lifts the hold on the license at the first payment. Through the traditional collection agency process, the hold is not lifted until all fines are recovered.
What about people with fines in only one court?
All District and Municipal Courts in King County operate relicensing programs that have similar payment and relicensing opportunities for individual court customers. This plan allows a consolidated payment plan for people with fines in multiple courts in King County. People with fines in only one jurisdiction should contact that court for information on their relicensing program.
What if someone stops paying?
If a customer defaults on the UP Program, the payment agency sends a notice to the court, which then removes the case from the program. At that point, the court may assign the case to the collection agency and notify the WA DOL to issue a hold on their license.
Do I have to contact each court?
No. You can go to any King County District or Municipal Court to get a copy of your case history and the UP Program information.
Who is the payment agency?
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson (LGBS), LLP
What courts are participating in the UP Program?
Participating courts include King County District Court and the Municipal Courts of Algona, Auburn, Bellevue, Black Diamond, Bothell, Burien, Carnation, Clyde Hill, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Hunts Point, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kent, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Maple Valley, Medina, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Normandy Park, North Bend, Pacific, Remdond, Renton, Sammamish, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Skykomish, Tukwila, Woodinville and Yarrow Point.
Can I use the UP Program to pay a fine in another county?
No. At this time this program is only available in King County courts.
Why is there a $7.00 monthly fee? Is that really less expensive than a collection agency?
The $7.00 monthly fee pays for LGBS to administer the UP Program. The work directly with clients to identify a customized payment plan, and interact with the courts to make the program successful.