Infractions (Tickets) in Olympia

Even the smallest infractions can snowball into something more frustrating and costly than you might have anticipated. Whether it’s a simple speeding ticket or an expired registration, the impact of these infractions can still be felt long after the ticket is issued. Many drivers assume that a ticket is just a minor inconvenience, but those penalties can start adding up with fines and increased insurance rates.

When it comes to traffic violations in Olympia, infractions are usually categorized as non-criminal offenses. This means they don’t typically carry the same weight as a misdemeanor or felony offense. Some of the more common infractions include running a red light, parking in a restricted area, or failing to use a turn signal. While these offenses may be small, they can disrupt your daily routine and your finances. Traffic enforcement in Olympia takes these violations very seriously as they strive to maintain safety on the roadways.

One common misconception is that paying the fine for an infraction will automatically resolve the issue. Indeed, you can often pay the fine without actually having to appear in court, but there can still be more consequences, especially if you are a repeat offender. You might have to attend a driver’s education class or take a defensive driving course.

Understanding your rights and options when dealing with traffic infractions in Olympia is important. If you feel how you received the ticket was unjust or if you just want to dispute it, you have the right to request a hearing to do so.

At this hearing, you can present evidence, challenge the officer’s testimony, and potentially get the infraction reduced or completely dismissed. Seeking legal advice in these situations is a good idea, as an attorney can guide you through the process and help you avoid any unnecessary penalties.

In Washington state, infractions and traffic tickets are governed by several key laws and statutes that you can find in the Revised Code of Washington. RCW 46.63 addresses how infractions are handled in the state, saying that infractions are violations that don’t result in jail time but may involve fines and other penalties.

For example, speeding, failure to stop at a red light, and other similar offenses are considered infractions under this statute. You can pay the fine or contest the citation in court.

RCW 46.20.291 is where you can find more information on license suspension for infractions. This statute outlines the conditions under which your license may be suspended or revoked due to repeated infractions. In Washington, the Department of Licensing (DOL) monitors the accumulation of points within a certain timeframe.

If you fail to respond to a traffic ticket within the required timeframe, you may face additional penalties under RCW 46.64.010. Failure to pay the fine or contest the ticket within the set period can result in the issuance of a default judgment against you.

Additionally, you can face tickets for driving outside the scope of your restrictions if you have a probationary or restricted license. For example, driving after certain hours or carrying passengers when it is not allowed. Violating these restrictions is considered an infraction and carries penalties like fines. It can also affect your ability to retain or renew your license in the future.

All of these statutes have been designed to ensure that simple traffic violations and infractions don’t turn into criminal charges. While they carry financial consequences, they place more of a focus on resolving them through administrative hearings and avoiding more severe penalties through compliance.

Driving around Olympia, the state capital of Washington, is known for its views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. While it gives you great scenery to look at, it also has its own set of challenges. Its downtown area can be busy, especially during peak times. With various one-way streets and traffic patterns, drivers must remain alert and familiarize themselves with the local roadways to avoid any confusion.

Compared to larger cities, the driving environment is more manageable in Olympia. However, traffic congestion tends to peak during rush hour, especially near the more popular locations like the Washington State Capitol, the Farmers Market, and Evergreen State College. Drivers must plan accordingly and allow extra time for their commute while also staying updated on any road closures or construction projects that might affect them as they travel throughout the city.

However, even with preparation, things still happen and you might find yourself being pulled over on one of Olympia’s busy streets. If you have questions about the process or want to learn more about your options, an attorney can be beneficial.

A criminal defense attorney plays a big role when it comes to protecting you when you have been charged with criminal offenses, even traffic infractions that have elevated to this status through repeated violations or other specific circumstances.

An attorney provides expert legal advice on how to handle the situation from the moment the ticket is issued. They help you understand the laws that govern infractions and explain the potential consequences of pleading guilty versus contesting the charge.

By evaluating the circumstances of each case, they can run through all of your options with you and ensure that you make informed decisions along the way.

In the case of a traffic ticket or infraction, a criminal defense attorney can review the evidence to determine if the charge is justified. They can challenge the validity of the ticket by reviewing police reports, speed radar readings, or other forms of evidence used to issue the citation. If the evidence is questionable or was unlawfully or improperly obtained, the attorney can argue for a dismissal or reduction of the charges during the court hearing.

Infractions are what people commonly refer to as tickets. Infractions are not crimes. The penalty normally only includes fines and does not include jail as a possibility. Since infractions are not a crime, you cannot be found “guilty” of violating the law. Instead, you “committed” the infraction.

There are two different types of infractions – traffic and non-traffic. Non-traffic infractions include noise ordinance violations, a littering ticket, and leash law violations. However, you are much more likely to encounter a traffic infraction. Traffic infractions involve your vehicle.

Traffic infractions can be then further broken down into two different categories – moving and non-moving. Non-moving includes parking tickets, expired registration tickets, camera tickets, and seatbelt tickets. The types of tickets that you need to be especially concerned about are moving violations. Moving violations are typically the type of infractions that impact your insurance rates and could possibly impact your commercial driver’s license.

While it is good to know that infractions are not crimes, the drawback is they are a lot easier to get on your record. While the government has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury that you committed a crime, they only have to prove beyond a preponderance of the evidence (50.01%) to a judge that you committed a crime. They also can have the officer simply submit a written report as evidence against you instead of showing up to testify against you, unless you specifically subpoena the officer to appear. All of this makes the government’s job of winning a lot easier.

If you have questions about an infraction you were cited with or wish to fight one, do not hesitate to give our office a call. You only have a limited amount of time to respond to a ticket. It is important that you address them in a timely manner so you will have a chance to make your argument to keep it off of your record. We are here to help you with your goals.