Infraction Instructions

The information contained here is intended to address the most frequently asked questions. It is not comprehensive and should not be construed as legal advice. Those in need of legal advice should consult an attorney.

If you received a green copy of a ticket from a police officer, it is a non-criminal offense that cannot be punished by a jail sentence. You must however, respond within fifteen (15) days from the date issued. A mailed response must be mailed not later than midnight on the day the response is due.

To respond, you must check one of the boxes on the green copy you received and return the form to the court listed on the front.

If you do not respond or appear for court hearings, this is what will happen to you if you received a traffic ticket:

If you do not respond or appear for court hearings, this is what will happen to you if you received a non-traffic infraction:

There are four ways you can respond. For options 2, 3 and 4, pick only one by putting an "x" in the box next to your response and sign your name on the bottom of the form. All responses should be sent to the court indicated on the front of the ticket. The responses are:

Deferred Finding Information

Only a judge can defer findings for up to one year and impose conditions the court deems appropriate. A person may not receive more than one deferral within a seven-year period for traffic infractions. The Deferred Finding is in effect for twelve (12) months. There is an administrative processing fee of $150 due to the court within 30 days after the hearing date or within one year of signing up with Signal Credit Company. If there are no further traffic infractions or criminal traffic violations during the one year period and the processing fee has been paid, the infraction is dismissed and does not appear on your driving record.

Failure to comply with any condition of the deferred finding cancels the deferral. You may be required to pay the original amount of the infraction in addition to the administrative processing fee and the ticket will be reported to the Department of Licensing.

If you would like the court to consider a deferred finding for you, make your request at the time of your hearing or complete the defendant statement and return it to the court. The judge will make a decision on your scheduled court date. If your court hearing is being handled by mail, you will receive written notification from the court.

At the time of your request for a mitigation or contested hearing or up until 7 days PRIOR to the scheduled hearing date, you have the option of a mitigation or contested hearing by mail. If you decided to proceed with a hearing by mail, you will not be required to appear in court although you will receive a notice and may receive a reminder phone call. You must, however, complete the Defendant's Statement Form and mail it to the court prior to your scheduled hearing. A copy of the Defendant's Statement Form is available at this site for download. Contested Accident cases cannot be heard by mail.

The court will review your statement and the police officer's sworn statement and render a decision. That decision will be mailed to you in the self addressed stamped envelope you provide. In the case of a mitigation hearing, the infraction is found committed and a monetary penalty will be determined. The finding will be reported to the Department of Licensing. In the case of a contested hearing, if the court finds that the infraction has been committed, it will impose a monetary penalty and the finding will be reported to the Department of Licensing. The penalty will be based on the facts of the case and your driving record. You must agree to pay the court-ordered penalty within the specified time ordered by the judge. You will be notified by mail in a form letter of the judge's decision. There is NO right to appeal the judge's decision.

The court must receive your statement at least 7 days PRIOR to the scheduled hearing date.

Statements which are not received 7 days prior to the scheduled hearing date will not be considered. Postmarks will not be considered. If the court does not receive your statement and you fail to appear for the hearing, the infraction will automatically be found committed and a $52 default penalty will be added. Your failure to appear (FTA) or pay the fine and assessed penalty will be reported to the Department of Licensing (DOL), and you will not be allowed to renew your driver's license until the penalty is paid. In addition, your unpaid fine and penalty will be sent to a collection agency where you will also be charged collection fees.

In all cases please print your mailing address on the bottom of your response and sign the request. You will be notified of a court date by mail.

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