First Speeding Ticket Ever in Washington State

My question involves a speeding ticket from the State of: Washington

Last night I had been pulled over for the first time after having my license for almost 3 years. I have an exceptional driving record and for the most part never really speeds. I got a speeding ticket for going 72 in a 60 zone but I honestly never let myself drive faster than 66 EVER. Any suggestions on what I should do? This is my first defense and I really don't want my insurance to go up. I'm under my parents insurance and I don't want this to affect the rates. I'm not sure whether to contest or mitigate :/ The state patrol officer was SO RUDE too. I honestly feel that he didn't reach quota and was handing out tickets left and right. I was on I-405 north bound and literally 3 cars were being pulled over at the same time...
Any suggestions for a 19 year old female with a CLEAN driving record?
Anything will be appreciated :)

THANK YOU!!

You might want to start by reading through this thread. If you're just interested in keeping this off your record, you might want to consider a "deferral". There is information about that in the article.

Barry

Thank you so much, Barry!
I also have another question...Do you know anything about the law that states that the ticket must be in the system within a few days to be valid? Is there any way I can check this?

Thanks!
-Joanne

You're looking for IRLJ 2.2(d)

how do you find out if they have filed the ticket or not?

Thanks!
-Joanne

I generally go through a case search on http://dw.courts.wa.gov. If it's not there then you should call the court. As Barry has pointed out in other threads: just because it isn't on the court website doesn't mean it hasn't been filed.

Thank you so much for the replies!
I's just so new to this process...this is how NOT often anyone in my family gets tickets...The van that I was driving, we have had for 13 years. My speeding ticket is going to be the first ticket against my car ever...
So im getting a suggestion to try to "plea" (I don't know if that is the correct term) for a deferral. I understand that if I do this I CANNOT get another ticket within 1 year of the previous deffered ticket. And, I cannot deffer another ticket within 7 years. If I get this ticket deffered will my car insurance go up immediately? Or does the insurance company not see it at all? How should I approach the court with this?

You REQUEST a deferral. If it's granted (and it's ALWAYS up to the judge, but I've personally never seen a person turned down if they were eligible), the violation does NOT appear on your record, so your insurance company will NOT find out about it -- unless you get another violation within the deferral period. THEN your insurance company learns about BOTH! The easiest way to go about it is to request a "mitigation" hearing. I've seen judges say, "Everyone who wants a deferral line up over here."

On the other hand, I always recommend contesting a ticket, requesting discovery, and THEN deciding whether or not to request a deferral (yes, you can request a deferral at a contested hearing -- just make sure you don't issue any subpoenas).

Barry

Definitely agree with Barry here. Always contest it- even if you were guilty.

Hey guys!!

So my court date is set to this upcoming Tuesday and I have no idea how to approach the situation. Do I explain to them that I am a great driver and that I have never had a ticket since I got my license except for this one? to What can I tell the judge for them to give my some sympathy *hopefully* drop the ticket?
Thanks again for your guys help!!

-Joanne