My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: WASHINGTON, City of Seattle.
We are going through a cold freeze this past week and the battery in my primary car died. My secondary vehicle has sat around for 10 months as I waited to get the brakes fixed. The brakes were fixed this past weekend and not having driven it lately it needed tabs (Expired 2/08).
Since my primary car was down for the count and I need transportation for work. I tried renewing online but it said that I had unpaid tickets (which I had paid) and was not allowed to renew online. I called the city and acquired proof of payment and had to go in person to the local DMV to clear up. no problem. I drove the unlicensed vehicle to the DMV (just 3 blocks away), finish all the paperwork necessary when I realize I don't have cash or my check book. Agent at the DMV says no problem; just come right back. She gives me a print out of a pending transaction with the date on it and says give us this paperwork when you return.
What happens next? Just my luck. I get pulled over on my way to the ATM for expired tabs. i tried my best to explain the situation to the officer and give him the open pending transaction log from the DMV office. Of course he didn't care and gave me a $216 ticket for it. UGH.
Now looking at the actual ticket the Violation/Statue Code says "SMC 11.22.080 C" when I look it up online (SEE HERE) the code is about License plates being displayed and says nothing about registration or tabs?? However in the "Vehicle Speed" section of the ticket he wrote "EXPTABS 12MO" and of course the tabs haven't been expired for 12 months yet. So this verb age confuses me.
I believe I have a good case for contesting and the way the ticket is written seems that I got a shot at getting it dropped all together? Seeking insight.


