Citations or Tickets
For infractions, the back of the ticket lists the options you have for responding to the ticket: 1) payment, 2) payment plan, 3) request a mitigation hearing, or 4) request a contested hearing. You should put an “x” in the box , indicating your response, sign your name, and provide your current mailing address. Your response should be sent to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket.
- For cases assigned to collections, please contact Professional Credit at (866) 320-6527
- Pay online by credit card or telephone.
- Setup Time Payments with District Court.
- Enclose a check or money order in U.S. funds made payable to King County District Court, for the amount listed on the front of the ticket. The violation will go onto your driving record if “traffic” is checked on the front of the ticket. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL. NSF checks will be
- treated as a failure to respond to the ticket. NOTE: The check or money order should be made PAYABLE TO: King County District Court. Include the infraction case number on your payment. Payment should be SENT TO: King County District Court, 516 Third Avenue, Room E-340, Seattle, WA 98104.
- Mitigation Hearing. Use our online mitigation tool or fill out the form in the back of the ticket by checking the box indicating you agree you committed the violation(s) and want a mitigation hearing to explain the circumstances. You will be sent a court date and you are promising to appear for the hearing. This violation will go onto your driving record if “traffic” is check on the front of the ticket (except for traffic camera violations, parking violations, and deferred findings). In some cases the court may allow time payments or reduction of the penalty. The request for a mitigation hearing must be sent to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket.
- Contested Hearing. Check the box indicating you want to contest (challenge) any/all of the violation(s) listed on the ticket. You will be sent a court date and you are promising to appear for the hearing. The city/state must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that you committed the violation(s). You can request witnesses, including the officer who issued the ticket, to appear at the hearing. You must contact the court to find out how to request a subpoena for a witness to appear at the hearing. If the court finds you committed the violation, the violation will go onto your driving record if “traffic” is check on the front of the ticket (except for traffic camera violations, parking violations, and deferred findings). The request for a contested hearing must be sent to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket.
TEXT MESSAGE NOTIFICATIONS
If you would like to receive text message reminder notices for your court dates, fill out the SMS Opt In form and mail to the courthouse location listed on your notice of hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much time do I have to respond to a traffic ticket I received from a police officer?
A: If you received a copy of a traffic infraction (a ticket) from a police officer, it is a non-criminal offense for which jail cannot be imposed. You must respond to the infraction within the following timeframes:
- If ticket was issued to you in-person by an officer of the law: Within 30 days from the date it was issued to you
- If ticket was mailed to you: Within 33 days from the date it was mailed
Your mailed response must be mailed no later than midnight on the day the response is due, or you can submit it in person by the due date. You must check one of the boxes on your copy of the ticket and return it to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket.
Q: What will happen if I do not respond to the ticket or I do not appear for my requested court hearing?
A: The court will find that you failed to respond or appear (FTA) and the infraction is deemed committed.
- You must pay the fine that appears on the ticket and a $52 default penalty.
- If you fail to pay these penalties they will be sent to a collection agency.
- The Department of Licensing (DOL) will be advised of the FTA and may suspend your driving privilege.
Q: How do I request a deferred finding on a traffic infraction?
A: The law permits a judicial officer to defer (postpone) the reporting of a traffic violation to the Department of Licensing (DOL) upon certain conditions.
The judicial officer may defer the ticket for up to twelve (12) months on conditions deemed appropriate.
- A driver may only receive a deferred finding once every seven (7) years for a moving violation, once every seven (7) years for a non-moving violation.
- Conditions of the deferral may include no traffic infractions or criminal traffic violations for twelve (12) months from the date the court enters the deferred finding.
- Court costs of $150 for monitoring the person’s driving record may be imposed.
- You may also request a deferred finding through our on-line mitigation tool
- You must complete the Defendant’s Statement Form and mail it to the court prior to your scheduled hearing. You can download a copy of this form from this website.
- Your sworn written statement must be received by the court at least seven (7) days prior to your scheduled hearing. Statements not received seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing will not be considered. If the court does not receive your written statement and you fail to appear (FTA) for the hearing, the infraction is deemed committed and a $52 default penalty is added. The FTA is reported to the DOL and your driving privilege may be suspended. You will not be allowed to renew your driver’s license until the penalty is paid. Unpaid penalties will be sent to a collections agency.
Q: What happens if I violate the conditions of a deferred finding?
A: If you fail to comply with the conditions of the deferred finding, the deferral is revoked. You are required to pay the original fine that appears on the ticket, plus any unpaid court costs. The violation will be reported to the DOL.
Q: How do I request a deferred finding?
A: If you appear for a mitigation or contested hearing, you may request the judicial officer to grant a deferred finding when you appear for the hearing. If you choose to submit a “Written Response” for your mitigation or contested hearing, you may include the request for a deferred finding in your written response.
Q: Instead of appearing in court for my mitigation or contested hearing, may I submit my response in writing?
A: Yes, the court rules allow you to submit your sworn written response for a mitigation or contested hearing by mail. If you choose to proceed with a hearing by written statement, you are not required to appear in court for the hearing; although you will still receive a notice of the hearing may receive a reminder phone call.
Q: How do I request relief from the Court if I failed to timely request a hearing, pay a ticket, or failed to appear for my scheduled hearing?
A: You may submit a Request for Relief From Judgment or Order to the Court. The request must be in writing, signed under penalty of perjury, and clearly set for the reasons for the relief you request. A judge/commissioner will review your request and you will be advised in writing of what relief, if any, is granted. For details, review local infraction rule LIRLJ 6.7(a) and the form on this website.
Check Your Driver's License Status (external link)
Declaration Regarding Disabled Placard, Plate, or Tab
Defendant's Statement (required for Mitigation or Contested Hearings by Mail)
Guide to Expunge, Vacate or Seal a Criminal Conviction (external link)
Infraction Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (external link)
Pre-Trial Conference [MRJC Version]
Request for Infraction Discovery Contact List
Request for Relief from Judgment or Order
Statement of Defendant's Rights - Arraignment
Superior Court Case Assignment Designation and Case Information Cover Sheet