TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS

Should You Fight Your Ticket?

Short answer: YES! It may seem like a less expensive option to just pay the fine, but these tickets will almost always raise your insurance rates. On moving violation will increase your rates by an average of 18%, or $50.00, for the low-end insurance carrier. Over the three-year period that that infraction stays on your record, your insurance rates will go up by at least $1,800.00. If you have received a traffic infraction in Western Washington, we can help. In almost all cases, our attorneys are able to get your moving violations dismissed or knocked down to non-moving violations, ones that won’t raise your insurance rates.

What Are Moving Violations?

Moving violations are traffic offenses committed by a driver while the vehicle is in motion. In Washington State, these infractions can lead to fines, license points, insurance increases, and even license suspension.

Common moving violations include:

• Speeding

• Running a red light or stop sign

• Cell phone violations

• Following too closely (tailgating)

• Failure to yield the right-of-way

• Improper lane changes

• Driving without a valid license

Penalties for Moving Violations:

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) tracks violations using a point system, although it doesn’t publish the actual point values. However, traffic infractions can result in:

• Increased insurance premiums

• License suspension after too many violations (3 in 12 months or 4 or more in 24 months)

• Mandatory driver improvement programs

• Misdemeanor charges for more serious violations (e.g., reckless driving; negligent driving)

Fighting a Traffic Ticket:

If you’ve received a traffic citation, you have options:

1. Pay the Fine – This is an admission of guilt and will go on your driving record.

2. Request a Mitigation Hearing – You admit the violation but ask for a reduced fine or alternative penalty.

3. Request a Contested Hearing – You plead not guilty and argue your case in court.

You typically must respond within 15 days of receiving a citation.

IF YOU HIRE ELOQUENCE LAW, you don’t have to do anything – we do all the work. We have successfully contested thousands of tickets, with nearly all of them resulting in either a DISMISSAL or amendment of charges that kept our clients’ driving records clean and kept their insurance costs from rising.

License Suspension & Habitual Traffic Offenders

Accumulating too many moving violations can result in suspension. You may be classified as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) if you are convicted of 3 or more serious driving offenses in 5 years or 20+ moving violations within five years.

HTO status leads to a 7-year license revocation, with very limited options for reinstatement. Each stop thereafter will result in mandatory jail time.