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I received a traffic ticket in Washington state for speeding 18 MPH over the limit. The ticket notes "over 40." This incident occurred on East Vantage Highway, where the speed limit is 50 MPH. What does "(over 40)" mean in this context?
answered on Apr 5, 2025
"Over 40" indicates it was a highway. "Under 40" a city street. The fines are different for the same speeds over the limit because driving 15 over in a 25 is considered as inherently more dangerous to others than 15 over on I-5. I-5 has limited access, and a divided roadway... View More 
My 17-year-old son was issued a criminal citation for reckless driving as he was caught driving 120 mph in a 70 mph zone. He has no prior citations or offenses, there are no additional charges, and he has a court date scheduled. Will he face jail time?
answered on Mar 17, 2025
Reckless driving is a gross misdemeanor. Maxim penalties are up to 364 days in jail, and a $5000 fine. If found committed, he will also have a 30-day license suspension and a mandatory 3-years of SR-2 (high-risk) insurance to have a license.
The reality is, as my colleague says, jail time... View More
if i fight is it possible to win
answered on Oct 12, 2024
If you actually had insurance but could not provide proof at the time it is an easy dismissal. As to the speeding ticket, it will depend on what court your hearing will be in. Judges do not all rule the same. Officer do not all write their reports the same: some make mistakes that we can take... View More
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.
No citations, no police, no insuance. The driver of the car has no valid DL nor insurance. The owner was in the passenger seat and was not carrying license. And, i dont think the car is presently insured, possibly no title and unknown about registration. This happened this past weekend. What court... View More
answered on Dec 18, 2024
You need a Personal Injury lawyer, not a traffic lawyer.
The offense was alleged "speed 26 over limit (over 40)" violation 46.61.400.26. Not sure if that's a wac or rcw. I heard taking a lawyer to traffic court is a guaranteed win. Is this true?
answered on Nov 4, 2023
Very little in life is guaranteed. But a traffic lawyer who has experience in taking on traffic tickets nearly every single day will probably have a much greater chance of finding an error or mistake that would get the speeding ticket dismissed (FYI it is an RCW. Leave off the .26) And is also... View More
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
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... View More
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
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
answered on Jul 6, 2023
Yes, they can mail it to you. Make sure that your address with DOL is up to date. You don't want to not get it.
answered on May 30, 2023
Unlikely it would be enough to question vehicle identification. Particularly if the officer got your plate number, make and/or model correct.
You should really talk with an experience traffic lawyer. Most of us offer a free consultation to go over what we might be able to do for you.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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... View More
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
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?
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
In regards to having traffic infractions waived if only income is ss disability
answered on Aug 5, 2022
If the violation is found committed, they will want the entire fine. I have never heard of the fines being waived due to an inability to pay, although judges and prosecutors can be sympathetic. Many court (but not all) will offer a chance to pay fines through community service, such as... View More
My wife was turning onto the highway from a side road. The other vehicle had his blinker on to turn on that road and was slowing down and starting to turn. My wife pulled out. The man realized he was at the wrong road, turned off his blinker, and turn back into the road, striking my wife. The state... View More
answered on Aug 1, 2022
First of all, it is very likely that the other driver gave a very different story. It therefore becomes a question of "They said" vs "They said." It sounds like your wife was either at a stop sign or otherwise had to yield, so the office wrote her for that violation without... View More
I was stopped past midnight for speeding in the highway, was very polite to the officer as he was to me, he only wanted to see my I.D. and nothing else, no ticket was given to me on the spot, and no paperwork to sign etc, asked for my address however, and said I would be getting a ticket via mail.... View More
answered on Jul 23, 2022
No, the law was changes some years ago because people were refusing to sign and then getting the ticketed kicked out for no signature. Now it must simply be "served," including by mail. One reason to keep your address with DOL current.
If you don't get it in the next couple... View More
No license. No mention of no light over license plate on ticket. This light in no way is a public danger issue. and I believe the law changed to prevent the police from using a license light not working as an excuse to issue a $553.00 no license ticket. What is her defense?. She does not have a... View More
answered on Jun 10, 2022
It is legal for an officer to pull over a vehicle when they are unable to read the license plate. The vehicle may be stolen. The vehicle may be unregistered. The registered owner of the vehicle may have warrants. The theory also holds for those cool-looking dark grey plate covers that people... View More
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