Speeding Ticket in Washington

[Lude S]

I am a Canadian from British Columbia that just vistied Washington State for the Labour Day long weekend. During my drive down I was caught by laser going 96mph in a 70mph zone around exit 208 overpass going downhill. The infraction was RCW 46.61.525 which is Negligent Driving 2nd Degree. and the fine on the ticket is written down as 538usd.

Since I think that the fine was a little too much compare to Canada, I went online and found that the infraction should be only a 250usd fine. Also the officer did not make me sign for the ticket, where it says defendent's signature, he wrote "copy surf to above person"


I am wondering what i should be doing to this ticket since there are 2 things wrong....

thanks for the help.

[blewis]

Bad news on both of your points. First, a new law became effective in June which no longer requires the officer to get an offender to sign a ticket. Second, the schedule you saw was for the "penalty", but you probably missed the paragraph which stated:

(d) Penalty Schedule. The following infractions shall have the penalty listed, not including statutory assessments.

For example, my speeding ticket carried a penalty of $72, but the total came to $173 -- it's those "statuatory assessments" that get you. You'd have to search through the RCW's to find them all (see, for example, RCW 46.63.110).

Sorry,
Barry

[Lude S]

Bad news on both of your points. First, a new law became effective in June which no longer requires the officer to get an offender to sign a ticket. Second, the schedule you saw was for the "penalty", but you probably missed the paragraph which stated:
For example, my speeding ticket carried a penalty of $72, but the total came to $173 -- it's those "statuatory assessments" that get you. You'd have to search through the RCW's to find them all (see, for example, RCW 46.63.110).

Sorry,
Barry

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.525
I dont see anything there that i should pay more than the 250usd?

[jk]

keep reading.

I wasn't keeping a total but there are several "fees" imposed.

[Lude S]

keep reading.

I wasn't keeping a total but there are several "fees" imposed.

(1) A person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty. No penalty may exceed two hundred and fifty dollars for each offense unless authorized by this chapter or title.
(7) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction shall be assessed a fee of five dollars per infraction. Under no circumstances shall this fee be reduced or waived. Revenue from this fee shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit in the emergency medical services and trauma care system trust account under RCW 70.168.040.
(8)(a) In addition to any other penalties imposed under this section and not subject to the limitation of subsection (1) of this section, a person found to have committed a traffic infraction other than of RCW 46.61.527 shall be assessed an additional penalty of twenty dollars. The court may not reduce, waive, or suspend the additional penalty unless the court finds the offender to be indigent. If a court authorized community restitution program for offenders is available in the jurisdiction, the court shall allow offenders to offset all or a part of the penalty due under this subsection (8) by participation in the court authorized community restitution program.



so, 250usd for the ticket, and another 250usd+5usd+20usd still doesnt add up to 538....

[jk]

They aren't charging you with any additional offenses. Read the statutes. There a a bunch of different fees and other means for the state to collect money that is not considered in the "fine" or "penalty" and are not additioanal infraction charges,.

Look down to the bottom of that RCW page. It will lead you to another page of fees as well.

I don't knpow if they all add up to what you were given as a total but i would suspect you will get a break down of the fines and fees when you pay it. If not, ask for one.

[Lude S]

They aren't charging you with any additional offenses. Read the statutes. There a a bunch of different fees and other means for the state to collect money that is not considered in the "fine" or "penalty" and are not additioanal infraction charges,.

Look down to the bottom of that RCW page. It will lead you to another page of fees as well.

I don't knpow if they all add up to what you were given as a total but i would suspect you will get a break down of the fines and fees when you pay it. If not, ask for one.

well............how the hell can a speeding ticket cost this much...what a joke!

[blewis]

I don't knpow if they all add up to what you were given as a total but i would suspect you will get a break down of the fines and fees when you pay it. If not, ask for one.

I actually asked for one, but they told me I would have to contact the officer who wrote the ticket. You can put it a call to that officer and he/she should be able to break it down for you.

how the hell can a speeding ticket cost this much...what a joke!

Actually, you're charged with "negligent driving" -- not speeding. One thing you might try is to ask for a contested hearing. Once your trial date is set, contact the prosecutor and ask if you can plead guilty to "speeding". That will lower your fine below $200, I think, and doesn't look as bad on your record as "negligent driving". It might save you some money and it can all be done over the phone, so you don't need to actually show up for trial. Just a thought....

Barry

[Lude S]

I actually asked for one, but they told me I would have to contact the officer who wrote the ticket. You can put it a call to that officer and he/she should be able to break it down for you.Actually, you're charged with "negligent driving" -- not speeding. One thing you might try is to ask for a contested hearing. Once your trial date is set, contact the prosecutor and ask if you can plead guilty to "speeding". That will lower your fine below $200, I think, and doesn't look as bad on your record as "negligent driving". It might save you some money and it can all be done over the phone, so you don't need to actually show up for trial. Just a thought....

Barry

What are the chances they will lower the fine at a mitigation hearing? and what can i say that might make them lower the fine?

SInce i am in BC, there will be no record of it showing up on the ticket.

[seniorjudge]

What are the chances they will lower the fine at a mitigation hearing? and what can i say that might make them lower the fine?

SInce i am in BC, there will be no record of it showing up on the ticket.

You were going 96 mph?

Exactly what would you say in mitigation?