Every Washington traffic infraction ticket form has a section at the top with 4 choices. The driver must check the bottom choice, Contested Hearing, in order to fight the ticket in court. Unfortunately, many drivers erroneously check the choice for Mitigation Hearing, which is admitting guilt. In addition to properly filling out the traffic ticket…
One of the most confusing things for drivers arrested for DUI (or Physical Control Under the Influence) in Washington is that they will face two(2), and often three(3), separate legal cases. The first case is their DUI /Physical Control court case under RCW 46.61.502 or RCW 46.61.504. They will usually have to appear in court…
Washington State House Bill 1596 (the BEAM Act) becomes effective on January 1, 2029. Its purpose is to prevent dangerous speeding by requiring the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) devices on all vehicles operated by drivers whose licenses have been suspended for Reckless Driving or excessive speeding tickets. Or when imposed by court order.…
Washington State troopers will be performing high risk driver emphasis patrols along I-5 between south Everett and Arlington in north Snohomish County this summer. Other trooper emphasis patrols will be done on I-5 near Tacoma and Federal Way and on I-90 near Spokane. Troopers there will be extra vigilant for DUIs, Reckless Driving and dangerous…
Under Washington State law, it’s a traffic infraction to not renew a vehicle registration upon expiration. RCW 46.16A.030(5). The penalty for driving with an expired vehicle registration(under 45 days) is $145.00. The penalty for driving with an expired vehicle registration over 45 days is $237.00 plus possible vehicle impoundment. Call Lynnwood traffic ticket lawyer Paul…
Many Washington State drivers get their driver licenses suspended/revoked every year for DUIs, Physical Control, Reckless Driving. Hit & Run (Attended Vehicle) or Driving While License Revoked 2nd Degree. However almost all of them are eligible for restricted driver licenses if they satisfy certain Depart of Licensing(DOL) requirements. For DUI/Physical Control drivers, they may apply…
The Washington Department of Transportation has started using installed highway speed cameras on Interstate 5 between Cook and Bow Hill roads in Skagit County and on I-90 in Spokane County. Drivers photographed speeding in those areas will only be mailed warning notices for now instead of actual speeding tickets. But at an unspecified date in…
In Washington State, the Department of Licensing (DOL) requires drivers to carry SR-22 High Risk Auto Insurance policies for three(3) years after being convicted of certain serious traffic offenses (ex. DUI, Reckless Driving, Hit & Run-Attended Vehicle, etc) or failing/refusing a police DUI breath/blood alcohol test. The mandated three(3) year SR-22 insurance policy requirement starts…
There is much confusion among the public in Washington State about what constitutes police “entrapment”. Entrapment occurs when police, or their agents, lure or induce a person to commit a crime which the person had not otherwise intended to commit. RCW 9A.16.070 (1)(b). And where the crime originated in the mind of the police or…
In Washington, it’s illegal for a driver under 21 to operate a vehicle with a breath or blood alcohol level of 0.02% or higher or any THC (cannabis) level over 0.00 ng. RCW 46.61.503 (Minor DUI). These are much lower legal limits than those set for drivers over 21 (0.08% or higher and 5 ng…