Speeding in Seattle

April 16, 2017 6:58 PM

I got issued a $234 fine for going 26 in a 20 mph zone near a school in Seattle. I was caught by a speed camera, not pulled over by an officer. Should I contest the ticket, and if so, how?

I've looked at related questions, but I think my situation is a little different, especially because the speeds involved are so low. The notice I received says I was going 26 in a 20 zone. Of course I do not recall what speed I was actually going at the time, but I was definitely driving the car at the time and place listed. The notice says that I can pay the penalty, request a hearing to explain the circumstances, request a hearing to contest the infraction, or submit a declaration of non-responsibility (if someone else was driving the car).

I could pay the $234; it's enough money that I would notice, but it wouldn't be a major problem to my finances. But is it worth it to contest the ticket? My understanding is that if I have a hearing and the officer who reviewed the camera footage does not show, then it's unlikely that the City will be able to produce the preponderance of evidence needed to decide that the infraction was committed. Is this true? And if the officer does show up, what then? Should I ask questions about the calibration of the speed camera, etc.? Throw my hands up and say "fine, take my $234"? YANML, but any advice would be greatly appreciated. Contesting the ticket sounds like a huge pain, but I don't know if it's a >$234-worth pain or not.

posted by thrungva to Law & Government (8 answers total)

If it's not too much of a hassle to go to court, I'd definitely do that. Worst case is you have to pay the ticket. Best case is the officer does not show and you don't have to pay.
posted by kindall at 7:31 PM on April 16, 2017

I've heard that you should contest these. I got one myself and just paid it, but I've heard that these cameras are notorious for catching people incorrectly. I have not tried it myself, though.
posted by pazazygeek at 7:41 PM on April 16, 2017

Chance of a fatal injury to a pedestrian increases dramatically at speeds above 20MPH. It's about 5% at that speed, and jumps to 40% at 30MPH. These speed limits and fines are not arbitrary.

Pay the ticket.
posted by Automocar at 8:22 PM on April 16, 2017 [34 favorites]

I got one for similar speed in a school zone and asked for a mitigation hearing. While waiting my turn in the courtroom, I realized that I really had 'done the crime' and by the time my name was called, I told the judge that I actually had no defense, I was sorry and getting the ticket had really raised my awareness of school zone speeds. She reduced my ticket by 50% because she said she appreciated my frankness. I hadn't planned that but that's how it worked out for me. About 5 years ago.
posted by lois1950 at 8:22 PM on April 16, 2017 [4 favorites]

You got caught on 75th going up the hill towards Eckstein, most likely. It's a profit center. Take it to court they will generally knock half off. Since it is not a moving violation the court will usually mitigate it 50%. If it was a moving violation the state of Washington will usually allow you to waive it if you do not get a moving violation for a a year after the violation. You are not alone.
posted by ptm at 8:39 PM on April 16, 2017 [7 favorites]

I've gotten two of these in Portland, contested both by mail, and got both dismissed. I'd try that at the very least.
posted by gottabefunky at 9:14 PM on April 16, 2017

Response by poster: Thanks all for the advice. Either way I will be more careful in the future.
posted by thrungva at 10:03 PM on April 16, 2017 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I contested a camera ticket in Seattle (in my case, for failing to come to a full stop before a right on red). Even though there was video, I won. Not sure exactly why. Never even went to court, and never paid a fine. It's worth trying.
posted by R a c h e l at 6:46 AM on April 17, 2017