Fighting Traffic Tickets in Washington State – Myth #2

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Fighting Traffic Tickets in Washington State

Driving is something all of us do every day. So we all have opinions about driving and traffic laws. Some people allege that there are special “tricks” to beat speeding tickets and other infractions.

As a traffic defense attorney, let us tell you that there are no “special tricks.” Beating traffic tickets in Washington State takes good lawyering. That means using your knowledge of the law, procedure, protocol that law enforcement officers have to follow, and creativity. It is not about pulling a “fast one” on the courts or finding a “loophole” in the system. Here are the common things people say about fighting traffic tickets that are not true. This article is about Myth #2, to read about Myth #1, please click here. To red about Myth #3, please click here.

Fighting Traffic Tickets in Washington State – Myth #2

IF YOU DO NOT SIGN YOUR TICKET IT IS INVALID

This myth is slowly losing ground as law enforcement are switching to a computerized system. In the past, law enforcement wrote speeding tickets and other traffic infractions on a little fill-in-the-blank form. Then, the officer asked the driver to sign the ticket. Some smaller law enforcement agencies still use this method of issuing speeding tickets and other traffic infractions. Also, patrol officers on motorcycles will hand write tickets instead of printing them. So because this method of issuing speeding tickets and other traffic infractions is still being used today, we think that we should address this myth.

So, is your speeding ticket invalid if you refuse to sign the ticket? The answer is no.

By signing the ticket the driver is acknowledging having received a copy of the ticket. There is no benefit to you if you refuse to sign the ticket. The officer will still include your information on the ticket and in his report, and that will be good enough for the court to find you committed of the infraction.

In addition, signing the ticket does not do any harm to you. By signing the ticket you do not admit to having made the violation. By signing it, you merely admit having received a copy of the ticket.

CONCLUSION

So “if you do not sign your ticket it is invalid” is a myth. Not signing a ticket will not do any good for your case. So why not save yourself the time and the hassle and just sign it?

Greg Sarkisyan is an attorney at Community Law Firm, PLLC, and the author of this post. If you would like to read more, visit us here. If you need legal assistance call (206) 262-7390 or e-mail Help@CommunityLawPLLC.com.

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