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Washington Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Is it legal for an offixer to give driving citations on public property? Ie grocery store parking lot. (WA. State)

Was in a fender bender I didn't cause. Officer was supposed to do a transfer of information and instead gave me a ticket that I should not have received.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 8, 2024

In Washington State, law enforcement officers can issue traffic citations on private property, including a grocery store parking lot, in certain circumstances. This usually includes incidents where traffic laws are violated, such as reckless driving or DUI, and in some cases, accidents that may... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Do non moving violations in Washington( which don't appear on ur record) make a deferall agreement void?
Jahnis John Abelite
Jahnis John Abelite
answered on Dec 29, 2023

It depends upon what the judge ordered when the previous deferral was granted. Some judges state that there can be no committed traffic infraction violations of any type, moving or nonmoving, for a certain period of time, e.g., six or twelve months, from the date when the deferral was granted.... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Do non moving violations in Washington( which don't appear on ur record) make a deferall agreement void?
Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Dec 29, 2023

Typically no, if the violation deferred was a moving violation. You have a deferral available for both a moving and a separate non-moving violation. However, individual courts may have their own standard for what constitutes a violation, so it is best to check with the court involved.

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3 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Do non moving violations in Washington( which don't appear on ur record) make a deferall agreement void?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 29, 2023

In Washington, a deferred finding or deferral agreement is typically available for certain traffic infractions, allowing individuals to keep the violation off their driving record by meeting specific conditions set by the court. Non-moving violations that do not appear on your driving record are... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I'm told by a WSP that I'm free to go&I'm not getting an infraction cuz it wasn't my fault, Can they change their mind?

They said they saw the whole thing (accident) & it wasn't my fault cuz I was in the roundabout first. I didn't get a ticket that day, just a "receipt of information" for insurance. Then after the weekend they said they had dashcam footage that showed it was my fault&... View More

Jahnis John Abelite
Jahnis John Abelite
answered on Nov 8, 2023

The first thing to keep in mind is you have 33 days from the date of mailing of the ticket to you (look at the postmark on the envelope in which the ticket was mailed) to respond to the court. You will have to contact the WSP to obtain a copy of the dashcam recording so you can review it. But you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: As a passenger in a vehicle without a seat belt do you have to give the officer your ID

I was a passenger in a vehicle took my seat belt off before the cop approached my side of the vehicle cop asked for my ID I refuse to give it to him said he had been talking to me.

Jahnis John Abelite
Jahnis John Abelite
answered on Sep 26, 2023

If a police officer is going to issue a notice of infraction to a person in a motor vehicle for not wearing a seat belt while riding in that vehicle that was stopped, under RCW 7.80.060, the officer can request the person's name, address and date of birth. If the person refuses to provide that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: I got a ticket on I-5. The violation code is RCW 46.61.100 How can I prevent it from my driving record?
Jahnis John Abelite
Jahnis John Abelite
answered on Sep 26, 2023

It depends on the facts of your case. You cannot drive in the left lane of traffic of I-5 if you are pulling a trailer, your vehicle combination weighs 10,000 pounds or more, you are impeding traffic or you are not passing slower traffic. The general legal requirement is to drive in the right lane... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Does WSP officer need to sign the ticket they give you?

Was told I was going 70 on I-5(don’t think that is true) he wrote it up saying I went 61 “ to cut me a break” then after saying his speech he let me leave. Interaction lasted about 5 mins. I want to contest

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Sep 14, 2023

Most traffic tickets are electronically filed these days, so there are procedures for the officer filing using a unique registered username and password. On the copy provided to you it will have the officers name and badge number printed.

There are a few officers out there who are not...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Can I request dashcam footage for a Speeding Ticket?

In Washington State, Kitsap County.

I got a traffic ticket for going 78 MPH in a 60 MPH zone. I know for a fact that I was not going that fast, I would have accepted a ticket for going 68-70 MPH as that is how fast I was going.

A couple moments before I got pulled over by the... View More

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Aug 31, 2023

Sure, you can request the dash video. Generally speaking, WSP and the cities have dash cameras, the sheriff's office does not. There are some exceptions, but just be aware not every police car has a dash cam. The best way to obtain the video is normally through a public records request, which... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Police officer pulled us over and gave us 2 tickets, did he invalidate them accidentally?

Police officer pulled us over and gave us 2 tickets, one said going 55 in a 40, and the other said going 65 in a 50. The one that says 65 im a 50 was a ticket for driving without id on hand(forgot it at home) and he also put that as a moving violation but under WA law its a nonmoving. But one... View More

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Jul 26, 2023

It is really hard to give answers without seeing the actual documents. But the short version is "maybe." You should consult with an experienced traffic lawyer; most offer a free consultation. You are also more likely to have a successful outcome by retaining one to represent you.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Collections and Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: A collection agency is asking me to pay a traffic fine from Italy in 2017. Do I need to pay this?
Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jul 10, 2023

Did you get a ticket in Italy in 2017 for driving? This sounds like a possible scam. Be very wary of this "agency" research them on the internet before you give them any money. The other question is "do you plan to return to Italy?" The Italian Highway Patrol (or whatever... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: I got pulled over in wa and the officer said that I'd receive the ticket in the mail, is he just trying to scare me or i
Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Jul 6, 2023

It's fairly common that officers don't issue the citation at the scene, and then it gets mailed later. That is often because of a technology problem, but can be for other reasons as well. You should probably check with the court for your location to see if anything has been filed. Also... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Criminal Law for Washington on
Q: Trip permit violation

I bought a new car and the dealership gave me a fraudulent trip permit. I then got pulled over and sited with trip permit violation usage.

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Apr 5, 2023

Of course the dealership is not going to admit to a criminal violation, even if they gave you an invalid trip permit. (Trip permit or temp license? What is the actual charge?) Were they also going to send in to DOL for the Title and plates as well, or were you? Do you have any proof that you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Pierce WA Driving NB5, got a speeding/ticket. Provided evidence NOT/Guilty WSP & Courts violated statues GOT 2 PAY. HELP

I have to pay. Judge Pro Temp Attorney & WSP Trooper statement was missing Day, Citation# Name etc... elements they both violated WA Statues What can I do Now who can I report this too

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Feb 6, 2023

You have a right to appeal a court's decision. It must be filed within 30 days of your first hearing, in the same courthouse as the first. (The appeal will be heard by the Superior court). The last I heard the filing fee was $250. You can get the paperwork for filing from the court clerk.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: Does this go on my record for jobs etc? And also what should I do?

I was pulled over for destruction of public property. They said the parks will sometimes make a deal instead of pressing charges. What should I do? Also if I work out a deal do this goes on my record for jobs and such?

Cristine Beckwith
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Cristine Beckwith
answered on Jan 25, 2023

Sorry to hear. Destruction of property can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony (depending on the level of damage). This definitely could go on your criminal record. It would be a good idea to reach out to a criminal defense attorney to see if they can investigate further...and hopefully work out... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: I swear the police used to have to give a ticket for the reason they pulled you over if they are giving you ticket or

So I remember getting infractions dropped due to the officer failing to write you up on original reason for the stop . Example cop pulls over says forgot turn signal while switching lanes but doesn't wite you up for that. But proceeded to issue a ticket for something else like failure to... View More

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Jan 12, 2023

Yes, they must have a reasonable suspicion that a crime or an infraction was committed to pull you over. No, they are not required to cite you for that violation. They may elect to warn you regarding that violation. They may also cite you for a violation discovered during the course of the stop,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: If you get pulled over for speeding by Washington state patrol and they admit to driving 10 mph over can they ticket you

I was driving on the freeway and my life 360 app tracks my movement and speed and it says I was doing 72 and he said he was doing 70 and if I was only doing 10 over he wouldn’t have pulled me over but in my app it says I was doing only 10 over is that enough to fight it in court? I then asked how... View More

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Jan 5, 2023

Yes, officers are allow to exceed the posted speed limit, so long as they do it safely. How else would they catch up to someone who was speeding, for example?

The problem with relying on your app is that you do not know how accurate that it is, ad are likely to be able to produce evidence...
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2 Answers | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: If you get pulled over for speeding by Washington state patrol and they admit to driving 10 mph over can they ticket you

I was driving on the freeway and my life 360 app tracks my movement and speed and it says I was doing 72 and he said he was doing 70 and if I was only doing 10 over he wouldn’t have pulled me over but in my app it says I was doing only 10 over is that enough to fight it in court? I then asked how... View More

Stan Glisson
Stan Glisson
answered on Jan 6, 2023

Keep an eye on the time to respond, it is probably two weeks, not three. There is no harm in requesting a contested hearing and investigating your options, but you will not get a public defender for a speeding ticket. You'll either fight it on your own or hire a lawyer, the court will not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Washington on
Q: I was hit, I called police because believed the other driver was at fault, when police arrived he said i was at fault
Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Dec 7, 2022

In accident cases there are two questions, often mutually exclusive. First who is liable for damages, injury and whatnot. Your insurance company attorney will handle that side of things. The other question is if one of the rules of the road was violated during the course of the accident. The... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Washington on
Q: In Washington State does the cop have to give you a ticket for what you were pulled over to ticket you at all?

In Washington State does a cop have to ticket you or give you a warning for what he originally pulled you over for to give you a ticket or arrest you for something different? What legally is a warning? Can he just tell you that he is giving you a warning or does it have to be a written warning?

Antone Alfred Weber
Antone Alfred Weber
answered on Nov 26, 2022

So long as an officer has a reasonable expectation that a traffic violation or crime has been committed, the officer has a valid reason to stop a vehicle. That the officer discovers a second violation, that they may have not had a way of knowing about until the vehicle as stopped, is also... View More

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