(1)  Generally. A person who has been served with a notice of infraction must respond to the notice within 15 days of the date the notice is personally served or, if the notice is served by mail, within 18 days of the date the notice is mailed.

(2)  Alternatives. A person may respond to a notice of infraction by:

(a)  Paying the amount of the monetary penalty in accordance with applicable law, in which case the court shall enter a judgment that the defendant has committed the infraction;

(b)  Contesting the determination that an infraction occurred by requesting a hearing in accordance with applicable law;  

(c) Requesting a hearing to explain mitigating circumstances surrounding the commission of the infraction in accordance with applicable law;

(d)  Requesting deferred findings if the driver qualifies; or

(e) Submitting a written statement either contesting the infraction or explaining mitigating circumstances. The statement shall contain the person's promise to pay the monetary penalty authorized by law if the infraction is found to be committed.  For contested hearing, the statement shall be executed in substantially the following form:

I hereby state as follows:

I promise that if it is determined that I committed the infraction for which I was cited, I will pay the monetary penalty authorized by law and assessed by the court.  I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct.

________________________________                            ________________________________
              (Date and Place)                                                     (Signature)

I understand that if this form is submitted by e-mail, my typed name on the signature line will qualify as my signature for purposes of the above certification.

For mitigation hearings, the statement shall be executed in substantially the following form:

I hereby state as follows:

I promise to pay the monetary penalty authorized by law or, at the discretion of the court, any reduced penalty that may be set.

I certify (or declare) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct.

________________________________                           ________________________________
              (Date and Place)                                                     (Signature)

I understand that if this form is submitted by e-mail, my typed name on the signature line will qualify as my signature for purposes of the above certification.

(3) Method of Response. A person may respond to a notice of infraction either personally, by mail or by e-mail. If the response is mailed or e-mailed, it must be postmarked or e-mailed not later than midnight of the day the response is due.

[Adopted November 18, 2009; September 1, 2018]