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1. What do I do if I receive an infraction?

Begin by carefully reading your citation. You must respond to the infraction within thirty (30) days from the violation date. A failure to respond will result in the suspension of your driver’s license, further penalties, and collections. Respond by completing the information in the box in the upper right corner of the citation and either mailing the citation to the court or bringing it in person to the court clerk's office. Court dates will not be given out over the phone. Select one of the boxes in the upper right corner and verify your address. 

Select box 1, Pay, you are electing to pay the infraction in full. 

Select box 2, Payment Plan, you are admitting responsibility but seeking time payments due to a current inability to pay.  

A hearing notice will be mailed to you if you choose box 3 or box 4.  

Select box 3, Mitigation Hearing, if you accept responsibility but wish to explain the circumstances or seek a reduction in penalty or box 4, Contested Hearing, if you deny responsibility and want to challenge the allegation. The hearing notice will include information to request a hearing by mail, email (called a TEC hearing), or via Zoom.

2. What is a Mitigation Hearing?

A mitigation hearing is held when you admit you committed the violation but wish to explain the circumstances to the judge. To request a mitigation hearing, mark box 2 in the upper right corner of your citation. The judge may adjust your penalty based on your explanation. The court must forward all committed traffic citations to the Department of Licensing, and they will appear on your driving record. Mitigation hearings are held by mail, email (called a TEC hearing), or via Zoom. 

3. What is a Contested Hearing?

A contested hearing is held when you believe you did not commit the violation. To request a contested hearing, mark box 3 in the upper right corner of your citation. The officer will not be present unless you file an officer subpoena which is available from the court clerk. Discovery requests should be made in writing to the prosecutor's office. You may testify, present evidence or witnesses at a contested hearing. In the event you have requested witnesses, you may be required to pay court costs. If you have a contested hearing and lose, the penalty may stay the same. Contested hearings are held by mail, email (called a TEC hearing), or virtually via Zoom. 

4. I received a camera ticket in the mail. What do I do?

You can request a hearing to mitigate or contest the violation. Be sure to submit your request by the due date listed on the front of the Notice of Infraction and indicate your preference for a hearing by mail, email (called a TEC hearing) or virtually via Zoom.  

Was the light red when you entered the intersection? Was the school zone light flashing? Did you make a complete stop before making a right turn at a red light? 

Video evidence is available for your review. You can view the video and photographs for your ticket at ViolationInfo.com with the Notice and PIN number provided in the upper right corner of the notice of infraction.   

Were you driving the vehicle?  

Photo enforcement violations are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle. If the vehicle was in the custody or control of someone else when the violation occurred, you can submit a Declaration of Non-Responsibility (“DNR”) form. A photo ticket will be dismissed if the registered owner submits a sworn DNR form.  

A camera ticket is similar to a parking ticket: 

Camera tickets DO NOT:

• Go on your driving record.
• Go to your insurance company. 

Camera tickets CAN:

• Place a hold on car registration and tabs for failure to pay.

5. Will a traffic infraction appear on my driving record?

A traffic infraction will go on your Department of Licensing driving abstract if you pay the penalty, mitigate or if the judge finds you have committed the infraction.

Photo tickets do not go on your driving record. See #4 above.

6. What is the Deferred Finding Program?

This program allows you to keep an infraction off your driving record. A Deferred Finding is conditioned on an admission of responsibility, a 6-month probationary period with no traffic infractions, and payment of a $175 administrative fee within 30 days of entry. A person may receive only one moving and one nonmoving deferral in a seven-year period.

If the terms of the deferral are violated, the original charge will be found committed and a penalty will be imposed.

A Deferred Finding is not available to:

• drivers with a commercial driver’s license;
• drivers operating a commercial vehicle;
• drivers charged with Negligent Driving with Vulnerable User Victim; or 
• drivers who have received a Deferred Finding within a seven-year period.

7. What will happen if I don't pay my ticket or appear for my hearing?

A failure to pay or respond to the citation within 15 days will result in a finding of committed. If you requested a hearing and did not appear, a $52 late penalty is added to the original amount of the citation and payment is due immediately. An unresolved citation will show as a "hold" against your license through the Department of Licensing. In this case, payment must be by cash or its equivalent. Personal checks will delay processing and adjudication for approximately 10 days.

8. What about an insurance ticket?

If you were cited for No Proof of Insurance but you were insured at the time of the stop or have since obtained insurance, you may file proof with the court. If you were insured at the time of the stop, the infraction will be dismissed upon payment of a $25 administrative fee. If you were uninsured but have subsequently obtained insurance, the court will find the infraction committed and will, at the court’s discretion, impose a reduced penalty.

9. Can I have my hearing held electronically online by email?

Yes. A Traffic Electronic Court Hearing or “TEC Hearing” is an option if you want a Mitigation, Contested, and Deferred Finding hearing via email. The TEC hearing form is available on the court website. You must have a valid email address. The result of a TEC hearing is not appealable.

10. Can I have my hearing held in writing by mail or fax?

Both mitigation and contested hearings can be done by mail or fax. There is no right to appeal from a contested hearing by mail. If the charge is related to an insurance, registration, or license violation, you must provide proof of these documents before the court will consider the penalty. You may also request a deferred finding by mail.

11. What about my right to an appeal?

If you do not win at a contested hearing, you have the right to appeal to the Superior Court of King County. The notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days of the judgment. There will be costs, payable in advance, including a $230 filing fee. The Superior Court will review the record that was made at the municipal court level, but there will not be a new trial. Appeal packets are available from the clerk. There is no appeal from a finding of committed following a contested hearing by mail. 

12. What if I can't pay my fine all at once?

If you cannot pay your fines in full at the time of the hearing, you may request a payment plan, a reduction in financial penalty, or community service in lieu of fine. The Declaration of Inability to Pay Fine & Request of Payment Plan form is available on the court website. A payment plan is a contract with the court for installment payments. Failure to abide by the contract will result in additional penalties, possible suspension of your driver’s license and assignment to collection. There is a $10 setup fee.