Traffic Ticket in Jefferson County (insurance, school, DMV) - Washington (WA) - City-Data Forum

Truth11 · 08-21-2016, 04:57 PM

A few weeks ago I received a pretty high traffic ticket in Jefferson County...aside from what the papers say,are there any other rights I have?...

DanG05200 · 08-21-2016, 05:49 PM

I'm guessing you have two choices. Pay the fine and take the points or go to court and plead guilty. Put yourself at the mercy of the judge. Often times they will reduce the fine and or the points. Make you complete an online course possibly.

Truth11 · 08-21-2016, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG05200

I'm guessing you have two choices. Pay the fine and take the points or go to court and plead guilty. Put yourself at the mercy of the judge. Often times they will reduce the fine and or the points. Make you complete an online course possibly.

The fine is quite high and I don't think currently I can afford the entire thing,but we are still in process. Luckily it's quite a lengthy one so I don't have to make any quick decisions. Being that I'm over 70 mi from the court we can do everything via mail etc. We are doing court by mail so we'll see what the final judgement will be. I did briefly speak with the office and they did mention something about a class or course.

pnwguy2 · 08-21-2016, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG05200

I'm guessing you have two choices. Pay the fine and take the points or go to court and plead guilty. Put yourself at the mercy of the judge. Often times they will reduce the fine and or the points. Make you complete an online course possibly.

Washington does not use a point system. But the second part of your post is true, many times a fine will be reduced, or even eliminated, if you go to court.

DanG05200 · 08-21-2016, 06:59 PM

I didn't know about the points. I guess that's why fines are so steep?

Truth11 · 08-21-2016, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG05200

I didn't know about the points. I guess that's why fines are so steep?

This is actually my first ticket here so I didn't know how it may differ from other states,and wow yes they are steep! I don't often see cars patrolling but when I do,look out that you're not in their sights.

DanG05200 · 08-21-2016, 07:18 PM

I see there is a traffic course online specifically for Washington State.
Washington Traffic Tickets & Violations | DMV.org

Ok. I see that WA doesn't have a point system. However, getting dinged with speeding or other moving violations can still ding your insurance. So the goal is to make the violation completely gone.

pnwguy2 · 08-21-2016, 07:42 PM

Absolutely correct. Back in the 90's I was clocked at 5 MPH over the limit three times in 2 years. Very obviously revenue producing tickets, but that 3-timer put me in driving school, and while I passed the tests, I still resent this as unreasonable. Fortunately, WA doesn't seem to be in this mode today.

Hemlock140 · 08-23-2016, 11:20 AM

By chance was this on highway 101? This is a special emphasis patrol area due to the number of fatal accidents, most often caused by speeding. AT the time I remember the State Patrol had old pickup trucks and vans used to catch people speeding, that were unmarked. They also raised the fines for infractions in that area. I don't know if that's still in effect but as you know, once fines have been raised they rarely go back down.

I did get a speeding ticket in that county on the way to Lake Crescent in 2002. Within a week I got a letter in the mail offering to remove it from my record if I paid the fine in full and got no other tickets for the next year, due to my otherwise clean record. I paid it and behaved myself so it came off. I had also looked into traffic school but you still had to pay the fine, and attend up there. You may be able to get the fine reduced by appearing in court, and appealing to the kind heart of the judge, but chances of success are low. As I recall in my case it was about $200 for going 70 in a 60 zone back then.

Truth11 · 08-23-2016, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

By chance was this on highway 101? This is a special emphasis patrol area due to the number of fatal accidents, most often caused by speeding. AT the time I remember the State Patrol had old pickup trucks and vans used to catch people speeding, that were unmarked. They also raised the fines for infractions in that area. I don't know if that's still in effect but as you know, once fines have been raised they rarely go back down.

I did get a speeding ticket in that county on the way to Lake Crescent in 2002. Within a week I got a letter in the mail offering to remove it from my record if I paid the fine in full and got no other tickets for the next year, due to my otherwise clean record. I paid it and behaved myself so it came off. I had also looked into traffic school but you still had to pay the fine, and attend up there. You may be able to get the fine reduced by appearing in court, and appealing to the kind heart of the judge, but chances of success are low. As I recall in my case it was about $200 for going 70 in a 60 zone back then.

I'm cooked then...I was going way over 60; But yes it was just a couple miles from 101. I also just assumed that some counties might be higher than others just because they are nicer areas.