Traffic Lawyer in Vancouver, WA
Protecting your right to drive in Washington and Oregon
If you drive long enough, there will come a day where you get a traffic ticket. In some cases, you can just grumble and pay the fine, but in others you really need someone to protect your rights. That’s because traffic violations and tickets can be more than an annoyance; they can build to much bigger problems that can affect your license, your insurance, and maybe even your job.
At Philbrook Law, our traffic violation lawyers are often able to have the charges dismissed or have them reduced to lesser offenses. Many traffic court cases can be resolved to your financial benefit. Contact us in Vancouver, Battle Ground, or Portland today, so we can get started.
This Law Office did an amazing job by dismissing my traffic tickets. I own a moving company in FL, and when I was in the west side of the country passing through the Oregon and Washington state , I accidently missed the port of entry. I got 4 violations that day. As a CDL driver it is very important for me to have my records clean. So I did some research and hired Philbrook Law and I don't regret. They were able to fight the ticket in court without my presence and they have dismissed all my violations. I would highly recommend their service.
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What is a traffic violation?
There are two types of traffic violations in Washington – moving violations and non-moving violations. The fines and penalties for moving violations, such as speeding, are normally more serious than non-moving violations such as illegal parking. The fines and penalties for moving violations and non-moving violations are often much more expensive than any legal fee.
There are many reasons a driver can be ticketed for a moving violation. The offenses are set forth in RCW 46.61. Common offenses that receive tickets include:
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The monetary penalties vary for each offense. The maximum state penalty is generally not more than $250 according to RCW.46.63.110. Exceptions may apply. There may be additional local fines and fines based on camera tickets.
Non-moving tickets include parking tickets, car registrations that are expired, broken lights, and other failures. Surprisingly, texting and driving is also considered a non-moving violation. Many of the legal, procedural, and factual defenses are similar to the defenses for moving violations.
The penalties for non-moving violations are generally lower than for moving violations – though when local fines are added to state fines, the cost to pay a ticket can be substantial.
It’s illegal to leave your kids unattended in a running vehicle
Washington State takes child safety seriously. If you leave an unattended child, aged 16 or younger, in a vehicle with a running motor, you can be charged with a misdemeanor. If you do it twice, you can lose your license.
Can your license be suspended for traffic violations?
Generally, drivers are subject to a license suspension if they have six (6) or more moving violations in a 12-month period. The length of the suspension is 60 days. There may be additional ways that violations can lead to a suspension of your driver’s license that an experienced Vancouver lawyer can explain.
In addition to civil fines, some traffic violations can result in criminal violations. For example, a DUI offense is a criminal offense and is also a traffic violation, which is why you can lose your license for a DUI.
How do insurance rates increase?
As a rule, any traffic violation appears on your driving record. And when a traffic accident occurs, one of the parties is going to be cited with negligent driving. Despite having no first-hand knowledge of the facts, the investigating officer will make a determination, and submit a sworn affidavit to the court as to who is at fault. Your insurance company will see this information and, more often than not, increase your premiums. Moving violations will stay on your driving record, too, for three (3) years, which is a lot of extra money to pay.
Do you have a CDL? Then you really need a lawyer
The requirements for a commercial driver’s license are strict. If you have multiple tickets, you could face a 60-day suspension of your license, which will make it impossible for you to work. Philbrook Law also represents truckers whose tickets went unpaid by their employers, and who have since had their CDLs suspended as a result, as well as those cited for logbook and trip infractions.
How can a traffic attorney near me help?
We understand the laws, the court procedures, and the facts on your behalf. There are strategies that may help you obtain a dismissal or a reduction in the traffic violation charges.
Some of the legal challenges we raise include:
- Contesting the validity of any devices such as radar that are used against you. If a speeding ticket is based on a radar-device, the police need to verify that the device was calibrated for accuracy. IRLJ 6.6 requires that speed measuring devices be properly maintained and regularly calibrated.
- Asserting that some element of the statute doesn’t apply to your case.
- Arguing that there was a justifiable reason for your actions, such as that you needed to speed to avoid an emergency or to avoid being struck in the rear, or that improper signage led to your speeding or your parking in a loading zone.
When it comes to procedural challenges:
- We request discovery of relevant documents which must be supplied before the hearing date. This request includes:
- The names of any witnesses
- Copies of any video or photos intended to be used at the hearing
- The sworn statement of the officer
- We hold the officer to his/her duty to file a ticket in a timely manner. Tickets must be filed within five days of the infraction.
- We look for errors on the tickets themselves. The traffic ticket must have all the appropriate information such as the make, model, and year of your car – along with the statutory reference to the specific traffic violation. The ticket must also include your driver’s license number and other relevant information. If the mistakes on the ticket prejudice your case, the charges may be dismissed.
Contact Philbrook Law for help with traffic violations in Washington or Oregon
We represent drivers in Vancouver, Battle Ground, Portland, and throughout Washington and Oregon, who are charged with moving or non-moving traffic violations. We also fight for drivers from out of state who receive a ticket while driving on our local roads. At Philbrook Law, our traffic violation attorneys fight aggressively to have tickets dismissed or the ticket reduce to a less serious offense. To schedule a consultation, please call 360-695-3309 or fill out our contact form.