Skip to main content

Citations or Tickets

Citations or Tickets

e-filing available

For infractions, the back of the ticket lists the options you have for responding to the ticket: 1) pay ticket, 2) set-up a payment plan, 3) request a mitigation hearing, or 4) request a contested hearing. Put an “X” in the box indicating your response, sign your name, and provide your current mailing address. Send your response to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket.


    1. Pay ticket 

    You can pay your ticket in one of these ways:

    • Online
    • Telephone - Call (844) 399-5259
    • Mail
      • Enclose a check or money order payable to King County District Court, for the dollar amount listed on the front of the ticket (do not mail cash)
        • Include the infraction case number on your payment 
        • NSF checks will be treated as a failure to respond to the ticket
      • Mail your payment to: King County District Court, 516 Third Avenue, Room E-340, Seattle, WA 98104.
    • For cases assigned to collections, call Professional Credit at (866) 320-6527

     

    2. Payment plan 

     

    3. Mitigation hearing

    A mitigation hearing provides you the opportunity to explain the circumstances of the infraction. In some cases, the Court may allow time payments or a reduction of the penalty.  Request a mitigation hearing in one of these ways: 

    • Online infraction response tool
      • Register for a free e-filing portal account
      • Log-in to the District Court e-filing portal 
        • You will need to search for your case number, navigate to the case and click on "WebHearing" on the Summary page to submit your response
        • The online form will guide you to enter your response to the citation
        • At the end of the form, you will submit it to the Court and a copy will be emailed to you 
      • You will not meet with a judge, but will explain your circumstances in writing using the response tool
      • The Court will mail you its decision on the infraction


    • Mail or by visiting a District Court location
      • Check the box on the back of the ticket indicating you agree you committed the violation(s) and are requesting a mitigation hearing
        • You have the option to either:
          • Have a hearing with a judge in person at the courthouse or via Zoom
          • Explain your circumstances in writing by completing a Defendant's Statement form
      • Mail your response to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket or file it with the clerks at any of the 8 District Court courthouse locations
      • If you chose to meet with a judge, the Court will send you notice of your court date; otherwise the Court will mail you its decision on the infraction

     

    4. Contested hearing

    A contested hearing provides you the opportunity to contest (challenge) any or all of the violation(s) listed on the ticket. You can request a contested hearing in one of these ways:

    • Online infraction response tool
      • Register for a free e-filing portal account
      • Log-in to the District Court e-filing portal
        • You will need to search for your case number, navigate to the case and click on "WebHearing" on the Summary page to submit your response
        • The online form will guide you to enter your response to the citation
        • At the end of the form, you will submit it to the Court and a copy will be emailed to you
      • You will not meet with a judge, but will explain in writing why you are contesting the infraction, using the response tool
      • The Court will mail you its decision on the infraction

       

    • Mail or by visiting a District Court location
      • Check the box on the back of the ticket indicating you are requesting a contested hearing
        • You have the option to either:
          • Have a hearing with a judge in person at the courthouse or via Zoom
          • Explain your circumstances in writing by completing a Defendant's Statement form
      • Mail your response to the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket or file it with the clerks at any of the 8 District Court courthouse locations
      • If you chose to meet with a judge, the Court will send you notice of your court date; otherwise the Court will mail you its decision on the infraction

    In a contested 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. Contact the Court to find out how to request a subpoena for a witness to appear at the hearing.

     

     

    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 request a deferred finding through our Online Infraction Response Tool:

    • 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.

      • 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: 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.

    expand_less