Washington State: Understanding Camera Ticket Payments

Camera tickets are issued for a variety of traffic violations in Washington State, including speeding in school zones, failure to stop at red lights, and obstructing traffic. These tickets are treated similarly to parking tickets and do not appear on driving records, nor do they impact insurance rates. While recipients can choose to pay the fine by mail, they also have the option to contest or mitigate the penalty. Non-payment, however, can result in a hold on vehicle registration.

Camera tickets are treated like parking tickets

Camera tickets are not reported to insurance companies or the Washington Department of Licensing and do not affect a person's driver's license status. They will not be a part of your driving record, and there will be no increase in insurance or points against your license as a result of the ticket. The only negative effect is the fine, which is treated as a parking ticket and cannot exceed the fine for other parking infractions within the same jurisdiction.

If you do not pay your camera ticket, you will not be able to renew your vehicle's registration or tabs if there are any outstanding parking violations or other civil penalties owed. However, failure to respond or pay will not result in a license suspension.

You can contest a camera ticket through a hearing, typically requested within 33 days of receiving the ticket. The ticket will contain instructions on how to do so. Reasons for contesting a ticket may include that you were not the driver at the time, or that the traffic signal or camera equipment was malfunctioning.

It is important to note that hiring an attorney to fight a camera ticket in Washington State is often not worth the cost since these tickets act as parking tickets and do not go on your driving record.

They don't go on your driving record

Camera tickets are treated similarly to parking tickets in Washington state and do not go on your driving record. They are also not reported to insurance companies or the Washington Department of Licensing. This means that camera tickets will not affect a person's driver's license status in any way. There will be no increase to insurance or points against your license as a result of the ticket. The only negative effect is the fine you have to pay if found guilty.

Camera tickets are typically issued in two situations: speeding in school zones and failure to stop at a traffic light. They are entirely legal according to the Washington State Legislature, but areas that utilize cameras to issue tickets must display a notice or sign visible to the public that enforcement cameras are in use.

If you receive a camera ticket, you are responsible for the infraction. The ticket will be mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle within 14 days of the violation. If you were not the driver at the time, you can submit a declaration of non-responsibility, which is a sworn statement that the vehicle was not in your care, custody, or control at the time of the violation. This can be filed online, by mail, email, or fax.

While it is not necessary to hire an attorney to fight a camera ticket, as they do not go on your driving record, you may still want to consult with one if you have questions or wish to contest the ticket.

You can contest a camera ticket

Camera tickets, such as those issued for speeding, red-light violations, or school bus-related infractions, are considered legal in Washington State. These tickets are treated similarly to parking tickets and do not appear on your driving record or impact insurance rates. However, failure to pay can result in a hold on your vehicle's registration.

If you wish to contest a camera ticket in Washington State, you have the option to request a contested hearing. Here are the steps you can take:

• Review the Evidence: Before initiating the contest process, it is advisable to review the video and photographic evidence associated with your infraction. You can do this by visiting www.violationinfo.com and using the citation number and PIN provided on the Notice of Infraction. Alternatively, you can access public computers at the Seattle Public Library, Seattle Municipal Court lobby, or the Records Unit (Room 335) to view the evidence.
• Understand the Timeline: In most cases, you will need to request a hearing within a specified timeframe, typically around 33 days from receiving the ticket.
• Follow the Instructions: Camera tickets usually include a set of instructions outlining the process for contesting the ticket. Follow these instructions carefully, as they will guide you through the necessary steps, such as checking the contested hearing box and mailing the ticket back to the court.
• Prepare Your Case: There are several grounds on which you may contest the ticket. For example, you may argue that you were not the person driving at the time of the infraction, or you may claim that the traffic signal or camera equipment was malfunctioning. Consult an attorney if you need further advice on building your case.
• Consider the Costs: Hiring an attorney for a camera ticket contestation is generally not necessary, as these tickets do not impact your driving record or insurance. However, if you have legal insurance that covers attorney fees, it may be worth considering legal representation.

Remember, while you have the right to contest a camera ticket in Washington State, the decision to grant a hearing and the outcome of the hearing will depend on the specific circumstances of your case and your ability to provide valid reasoning for your contestation.

You can declare non-responsibility if you weren't driving

If you receive a camera ticket in Washington state, it is presumed that the registered owner of the vehicle was driving at the time of the violation. However, if you were not the one driving, you can declare non-responsibility by submitting a written statement or testimony under oath to the court. This statement should indicate that the vehicle was under the control or in the care of another person at the time of the incident.

The process for declaring non-responsibility may vary depending on the city in Washington state. In some cities, such as Issaquah, Puyallup, and Lakewood, you can find links to their declaration of non-responsibility forms on their websites. These forms do not require you to provide the name of the actual driver, as you are not legally obligated to do so.

On the other hand, cities like Lynnwood, Renton, and Bellevue have declaration forms that ask for the name of the person driving. However, you are still not legally required to provide this information. You can simply state "unknown" if asked to provide the name of the driver.

To file a declaration of non-responsibility, you can typically download the relevant form for your city and mail it to the municipal court. Alternatively, some cities may allow you to submit the declaration online, by email, or by fax. It is important to submit the declaration by the due date specified on the notice of infraction.

It's worth noting that while a camera ticket in Washington state will not go on your driving record, failing to pay the fine can result in a hold on your vehicle's registration. Therefore, even if you declare non-responsibility and are not the driver, you may still need to take action to resolve the ticket, such as paying the fine or requesting a hearing.

There are two types of hearings to reduce or dismiss fines

In Washington state, camera tickets are treated like parking tickets and do not go on your driving record. However, if you don't pay your ticket, you won't be able to renew your vehicle's registration. If you want to fight a camera ticket, you can request a hearing to reduce or dismiss your fines. There are two types of hearings to reduce or dismiss fines:

Mitigation Hearing

At a mitigation hearing, you are telling the judge that you are admitting fault for the traffic infraction but had a valid reason for committing the violation. The judge will consider your explanation and decide whether to lower the fine. However, the judge will not dismiss the infraction, and you cannot ask for a mitigation hearing if the ticket is for speeding in a school zone or passing a stopped school bus.

Contested Hearing

At a contested hearing, you are challenging the ticket and claiming that you did not commit the violation. You can request a contested hearing if you were not the one driving at the time, the traffic signal or camera equipment was malfunctioning, or there are other technicalities with the ticket. If the judge agrees, your ticket may be reduced or dismissed.

Frequently asked questions