Beginning July 1st, traffic tickets will increase by $12 statewide.
The Washington State Supreme Court ordered the change to help better fund the state court system’s technology infrastructure. Money from the ticket increase will also be used to help with public defense for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
Nearly every moving vehicle violation will now cost more, including laws affecting truckers and boaters.
Tickets for most parking violations will not be affected by the increase. Tickets involving red light and speeding cameras will also not cost more because those are setup and controlled by municipalities and not the state.
“Under the current statutory framework, the Supreme Court is charged with setting the base penalty for traffic infractions. Our decision to raise the base, which is effective July 1, was not an easy decision for the court to make. Indeed, we believe the needs of the court system should be funded from (the state's) general funds, not from penalties for traffic infractions,” said Chief Justice Barbara Madsen.
“However, given the current framework, a majority of the court believes the modest increase is reasonable, and is less than the state’s fiscal growth factor would allow. We will continue to work with the Legislature and local courts to take active steps to reduce the potential harmful consequences for low-income persons who are financially unable to pay.”
KIRO
