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Many individuals mistakenly believe that simply paying a traffic ticket is the easiest way to move forward. However, this approach can lead to significant long-term consequences. Fighting your ticket is often the smartest choice, as it helps protect your driving record and avoid unnecessary financial and professional hardships.
Avoid Insurance Premium Increases
Paying a traffic ticket is effectively an admission of guilt. This can lead to increased insurance premiums for up to three years, potentially costing you thousands of dollars over time.
Prevent License Suspensions
Accumulating multiple infractions in a short period can result in a suspended license:
Protect Your Employment Opportunities
If you rely on your license for work or hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), a traffic violation can jeopardize your current job and future employment opportunities. Employers may be unwilling to hire or retain individuals with a tarnished driving record.
Safeguard Against Unintended Consequences
Many individuals are unaware of the complex legal ramifications of traffic infractions. A simple moving violation can escalate into costly repercussions. By hiring experienced attorneys, you ensure that every legal avenue is explored to minimize or dismiss penalties.
Our attorneys specialize in traffic infraction defense and have successfully resolved over 5,000 infractions. With access to an extensive database of legal materials and innovative defense strategies, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
(1) Whenever the official records of the department show that a person has committed a traffic infraction for a moving violation on three or more occasions within a one-year period, or on four or more occasions within a two-year period, the department must suspend the license of the driver for a period of 60 days and establish a period of probation for one calendar year to begin when the suspension ends. Prior to reinstatement of a license, the person must complete a safe driving course as recommended by the department. During the period of probation, the person must not be convicted of any additional traffic infractions for moving violations. Any traffic infraction for a moving violation committed during the period of probation shall result in an additional 30-day suspension to run consecutively with any suspension already being served.
(2) When a person has committed a traffic infraction for a moving violation on two occasions within a one-year period or three occasions within a two-year period, the department shall send the person a notice that an additional infraction will result in suspension of the person’s license for a period of 60 days.
(3) The department may not charge a reissue fee at the end of the term of suspension under this section.
(4) For purposes of this section, multiple traffic infractions issued during or as the result of a single traffic stop constitute one occasion.
With a proven record of successfully managing over 5000 infractions, our firm has unparalleled expertise in addressing legal challenges across a diverse range of cases. Whether it’s traffic violations, commercial vehicle infractions, or boating and recreation-related offenses, our seasoned attorneys are equipped to navigate the complexities of Washington State law.
Our extensive experience means we’ve seen it all—ranging from minor infractions like speeding tickets to more intricate matters like improper vehicle licensing and federal motor carrier safety violations. You can trust us to provide effective representation tailored to your specific case.
IRLJ 6.2
MONETARY PENALTY SCHEDULE FOR INFRACTIONS
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Penalty Adjustment | The penalty for any infraction listed cannot be changed by local court rule. |
| Court Discretion | Courts may impose a lesser penalty in individual cases. |
| Even Dollar Adjustment | If the total payment (base penalty + assessments) is not even, the base penalty is raised to produce an even total. |
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Default Penalty | $48, excluding statutory assessments. |
| Local Court Rule Option | Courts may set a different penalty for unscheduled infractions through local rules. |
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Exclusions | This schedule does not apply to parking, standing, stopping, or pedestrian infractions. |
| Statutory or Local Rules | Penalties for these infractions are set by municipal or county statutes or local court rules. |
| Consistency Requirement | Such penalties must align with the philosophy of these rules. |
| Details | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Penalty Amounts | Listed infractions have penalties specified, excluding statutory assessments. |
| Statutory Assessments | Additional statutory assessments are added to the base penalties. |
| Infraction | RCW/WAC Reference |
|---|---|
| Second Degree Negligent Driving | RCW 46.61.525 |
| Wrong Way on Freeway | RCW 46.61.150 |
| Wrong Way on Freeway Access | RCW 46.61.155 |
| Backing on Limited Access Highway | RCW 46.61.605 |
| Spilling or Failure to Secure Load | RCW 46.61.655 |
| Throwing or Depositing Debris on Highway | RCW 46.61.645 |
| Disobeying School Patrol | RCW 46.61.385 |
| Passing Stopped School Bus (Red Lights Flashing) | RCW 46.61.370 |
| Violation of Posted Road Restriction | RCW 46.44.080; RCW 46.44.105 |
| Switching/Using Another’s License Plates | RCW 46.16A |
| Altering/Using Altered License Plates | RCW 46.16A.200 |
| No Valid Driver’s License (With Identification) | RCW 46.20 |
| Expired Vehicle License – 2 Months or Less | RCW 46.16A.030 |
| Speeding: 1–5 mph Over Limit | RCW 46.61.400 |
| Speed Too Fast for Conditions | RCW 46.61.400(1) |
| Failure to Stop | RCW 46.61.050 |
| Failure to Yield Right of Way | RCW 46.61.180; .185; .190 |
| Following Too Close | RCW 46.61.145; .635 |
| Impeding Traffic | RCW 46.61.425 |
| Improper Passing | RCW 46.61.110 |
| Improper Lane Usage | RCW 46.61.140 |
| Operating with Obstructed Vision | RCW 46.61.615 |
| Accident Penalty for Infractions | Various RCW 46.61 sections |
| Defective or Modified Exhaust Systems | RCW 46.37.390 |
| Illegal Parking | RCW 46.61.560 |
| Motorcycle-Specific Violations | RCW 46.20.500 |
| Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance | RCW 46.30.020 |
| Infraction | RCW/WAC Reference |
|---|---|
| Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (Auto Transport) | WAC 480 |
| Commercial Vehicle License (Auto Transport) | WAC 480 |
| Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (Charter Bus) | WAC 480 |
| Commercial Vehicle License (Charter Bus) | WAC 480 |
| Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (Solid Waste Transport) | WAC 480 |
| Commercial Vehicle License (Solid Waste Transport) | WAC 480 |
| Failure to Have Proof of Insurance | RCW 81.80.190 |
| Defective Equipment/Driver Safety (Limousine) | WAC 480 |
| Commercial Vehicle License (Limousine) | WAC 480 |
| Infraction | RCW/WAC Reference |
|---|---|
| Off-Road Vehicle Traffic Prohibited | WAC 332-52 |
| Spark-Arresting Muffler Required | WAC 332-52 |
| Yield Right of Way to Log Hauling and Gravel Trucks | WAC 332-52 |
| Parking on the Traveled Portion of the Roadway | WAC 332-52 |
| Camping | WAC 352-32-030 |
| Intoxication in State Park Areas | WAC 352-32-220 |
| Pets | WAC 352-32-060 |
| Games | WAC 352-32-090 |
| Food/Beverage Containers on Swimming Beaches | WAC 352-32-230 |
| Sno-Park Permit | WAC 352-32-260 |
| Infraction | RCW/WAC Reference |
|---|---|
| Operating Vessel in Negligent Manner | RCW 79A.60.030 |
| No Personal Flotation Device | RCW 79A.60.160(1) |
| Observer Required on Board Vessel | RCW 79A.60.170(2) |
| Failure to Display Skier Down Flag | RCW 79A.60.170(2) |
| Overloading Vessel Beyond Safe Capacity | RCW 79A.60.180(1) |
| Excess Noise Levels for Vessel Engines | RCW 79A.60.130 |
| Infraction | RCW/WAC Reference |
|---|---|
| Fishing with Barbed Hooks | RCW 77.15.160(1)(a) |
| Failure to Record Fish/Shellfish Catch | RCW 77.15.160(1)(b) |
| Recreational Fishing License Not on Person | RCW 77.15.160(1)(d)(i) |
| Hunting License Not on Person | RCW 77.15.160(2)(d) |
| Violating Distance Prohibitions for Orca Whales | RCW 77.15.740 |