Fight Traffic Ticket in Washington DC

Know Your Options

Most DC drivers have two options for handling traffic tickets: plead guilty and pay online, or contest the ticket and schedule a hearing.

What it Means to Fight Your DC Traffic Ticket

To fight your DC traffic ticket, you must:

• Schedule a hearing date within 30 calendar days of the ticket date.
• Prepare and plead your case (some drivers hire traffic ticket attorneys for help).
• Receive your verdict.

You cannot contest the ticket once 60 days have passed. At this point, you receive a default guilty judgment.

NOTE: Don’t pay any portion of the traffic ticket fine if you plan to contest the ticket. DC considers any payment amount an admission of guilt, at which point you must deal with all fines and penalties.

Pleading Guilty or No Contest

Some drivers feel pleading guilty and paying their fines is the easier route―especially when they know they are guilty or have no case.

Refer to Paying Your Traffic Ticket for more information about this option.

Avoid Additional Charges

You have 30 calendar days―which include weekends and holidays―from the date you receive the ticket to schedule a hearing. Day One is the day after you receive the ticket.

Once those 30 days pass, you must pay a penalty fee equal to the amount of the original traffic ticket fine. You can still schedule a hearing at this point.

After 60 calendar days of failing to schedule a hearing, you no longer have the option to schedule a hearing. Your ticket becomes delinquent, you’re responsible for all fines and penalties, and:

• The DMV can suspend your license.
• Your debt can go to a collection agency.

Notify the Court

Determine Where to Plead

DC handles traffic ticket cases at the Adjudication Services Office.

Inform the Court

There are five ways you can handle this step: by telling the ticketing officer, online, by phone, in person, or by mail.

1. Tell the Officer

You can tell the officer who issues the ticket that you want to contest it and schedule a hearing. Afterward, you’ll receive a hearing notice by mail letting you know the date and time.

2. Online

You can schedule a hearing online from the DC DMV website. Have your ticket number handy.

3. In Person

Report to the Adjudication Services Office between 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Have your ticket with you, or bring identification to receive a printout.

4. By Phone

Call (866) 893-5023. Be prepared to provide your ticket number.

5. By Mail

Understand that this option is considered “mail adjudication,” meaning the entire process is your hearing. You won’t show up before a hearing examiner; the hearing examiner will make a decision based on what you send him.

To use this option, mail―

• Your completed ticket with the “Deny” box marked,
• A written summary or statement of your defense, and
• Any evidence, including photographs and legal documents

• DMV Adjudication Services

• ATTN: Mail Adjudication

• PO Box 37135

• Washington, DC 20013

You’ll receive a postcard letting you know the DMV received your request, and within six months the hearing examiner will notify you of the verdict.

Rescheduling or Postponing Your Hearing

To reschedule, send a written request to:

• DMV Hearing Request

• PO Box 37135

• Washington, DC 20013

They DMV must receive your request at least seven days prior to your original hearing date.

Simply failing to appear for your hearing gets you a guilty verdict and makes you liable for all fines and penalties. The DMV will give you a 10-minute grace period.

Hire a Traffic Ticket Attorney

Consider hiring a traffic ticket attorney if:

• You want help preparing and presenting your case, including gathering evidence and subpoenaing witnesses.
• You’re open to negotiating a plea agreement.
• You’re facing serious charges, such as DUI or anything involving a felony.

Even drivers who choose mail adjudication can benefit from traffic ticket lawyers. These lawyers can help them gather and prepare all photographs, documents, and other relevant evidence to mail.

Prepare Your Case

As you prepare for your case, keep these tips in mind:

• Practice your testimony, unless your attorney is speaking for you.
• Gather evidence and witnesses that can help prove your innocence or that the violation was unavoidable.
• Consider plea agreements to lesser charges with lesser penalties.

On your hearing date, you must present your hearing notice or valid driver’s license and your traffic ticket, so gather these items ahead of time.

Plead Your Case Before a Hearing Examiner

Generally, the hearing examiner allows time for:

• Opening statements.
• Testimony, evidence, and witnesses from both sides.
• Questioning and cross examining.
• Closing statements.

The hearing examiner will then make a judgment, giving you a verdict.

You’re responsible for no traffic ticket fine or other penalties if your hearing examiner finds you not guilty; if he finds you guilty, however, you must handle your ticket fines and penalties.

Filing an Appeal

The Traffic Adjudication Appeals Board handles appeals.

You can appeal the hearing examiner’s verdict within 15 calendar days of the hearing date (or 18 calendar days of the decision letter’s postmarked date, if you chose mail adjudication).

To do so, you must:

• Complete a Notice of Appeals Application.
• Pay the traffic ticket fine and any other financial penalties.
• Pay a $10 appeals fee.
• Pay an initial $50 transcript deposit fee. (You could be charged more later, if the $50 doesn’t cover the total transcription costs.)

The Notice of Appeals Application includes thorough instructions, including the address to which you must mail your application and fees.

NOTE: If the Board reverses your guilty verdict, you’ll receive a refund for all fines, penalties, and fees.

Check Your Driving Record

DC puts points on your driving record each time you plead or are found guilty of a traffic violation.

Check your driving record any time you:

• Receive a guilty verdict. Make sure the DMV adds only the number of points associated with the violation.
• Receive a not guilty verdict. Make sure the DMV adds no points to your record.
• Complete traffic school for point reduction. Make sure the DMV actually removes the points.

Visit DC Driving Records to get a copy of yours.

Shop for Better Auto Insurance Rates

Typically, auto insurance providers raise rates for drivers who get guilty verdicts.

You can ask whether completing an approved traffic school will earn a discount, or combat the rate increase by shopping for affordable coverage elsewhere.