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Lost Traffic Ticket in Washington
Determine Where You Got Your WA Traffic Ticket
Call the court that was listed on your citation.
If you never looked at the ticket and don't know the court, here's what to do:
- Try to remember where you were ticketed. You don't need the exact street name; just try to think of either the town or county.
- One you've pinpointed the general location, call either the area's Municipal Court or the county's District Court. If you we're cited by a city or town police officer, call the Municipal Court; if you were ticketed by a county deputy sheriff or a trooper for the Washington State Patrol phone the County District Court.
Determine How You Will Plead
After contacting the court, you'll be instructed on how to proceed. You must enter one of three plea options, as listed on the ticket
Move fast. You have 15 days to respond to the citation. The court will not accept "I lost my traffic ticket." If you fail to respond within this time frame, the Department of Licensing (DOL) will send you a Notice of Suspension.
Pay Ticket
(Plead Guilty or No Contest)- Pay the fine.
- Option to plea bargain penalties.
- Incur points on your driving record (could lead to license suspension/revocation).
- Possibly incur increase on auto insurance rates.
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Pay Traffic Ticket.Fight Ticket
(Plead Not Guilty)- Contest traffic ticket via trial.
- Choose to represent yourself or hire an attorney.
- Possibly lose option to plea bargain for lesser penalties.
- No penalties if found not guilty, but must pay court/attorney fees.
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