Can’t pay a traffic ticket? You may soon be in luck. Why? Because Washington State lawmakers recently proposed a measure that would prevent a driver’s license from being suspended if a person cannot pay or doesn’t respond to a traffic ticket. The measure, if passed, would eliminate suspended licenses for those who are unable to pay off their traffic tickets.
The current law allows the Department of Licensing to suspend a driver’s license if a traffic ticket goes unpaid or isn’t timely resolved. To add insult to injury, the driver’s debt on the unpaid ticket can be sent to collections, and the amount owed can increase with every day that passes without payment.
What is the legal status of suspension until a ticket is paid? DWLS 3, a criminal misdemeanor in Washington. The penalty for DWLS 3 is up to 90 days in jail and fine of up to $1,000. Sadly, suspended licenses currently account for approximately 33% of the criminal cases in Washington State district and municipal courts.
If you or a loved one has been cited for DWLS 3 or some other traffic crime (whether it be in Seattle or elsewhere), don’t hesitate to hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Defense Lawyer. The Seattle Criminal Defense Attorneys that make up the criminal defense team of SQ Attorneys are highly qualified and reputable Seattle traffic attorneys that are dedicated to providing top notch, aggressive representation for those arrested or charged for crime all across Western Washington and the Greater Puget Sound region. The team creates success by working with law enforcement and the prosecuting attorney’s office to ensure that all facts and circumstances related to the allegations are considered in creating the fairest, most equitable and just resolution possible in light of all the surrounding circumstances of the given case. So, whether you are cited with an infraction or arrested and/or charged with misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or a felony, protect yourself … call SQ Attorneys at (206) 441-0900.
