Washington Traffic Ticket Attorney – Fight Your Traffic Ticket

Every year, more than a million traffic tickets are issued throughout Washington State. Most drivers simply pay their tickets without realizing that paying a traffic infraction is considered an admission that the violation was committed. Others attempt to fight their tickets on their own without understanding the legal procedures, available defenses, or potential consequences.

What many drivers do not realize is that a traffic ticket can have consequences beyond the initial fine. Depending on the violation and your driving history, a traffic infraction may affect your insurance rates, driving privileges, or employment. For commercial drivers, even a relatively minor traffic violation can have serious consequences for their Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and livelihood. Some traffic offenses are also criminal charges that can result in a criminal record, fines, and even jail time.

At Heritage Law Office, we provide full-service traffic defense throughout Central Washington. We have represented thousands of clients in a wide variety of traffic matters, from ordinary speeding tickets to complex CDL violations and criminal traffic charges. Every client has different concerns and reasons for fighting a ticket. Our goal is to understand those concerns and provide knowledgeable representation focused on protecting your driving record, your license, and your future.

Before you pay your next traffic ticket, consider the potential long-term consequences and your options for fighting it.

Types of Traffic Infractions We Handle

Most ordinary traffic tickets are civil infractions rather than criminal charges. Common examples include speeding, following too closely, failing to obey a traffic control device, and using a cell phone while driving. We represent clients throughout Washington State in a wide range of traffic infractions, including:

Speeding Tickets, Including School Zone and Construction Zone Speeding
Speed Too Fast for Conditions
Infractions Received as a Result of an Accident
Following Too Close
Negligent Driving in the Second Degree
Operating a Vehicle Without Insurance
Improper Stopping, Lane Changes, and Turning Violations
Failure to Yield for Emergency Vehicles
Failure to Obey Traffic Control Devices
Cell Phone and Seat Belt Violations
Failure to Appear in Court for a Traffic Violation
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Infractions

We also represent clients facing criminal traffic charges, including DUI, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, and other traffic-related criminal offenses.

Why Hire an Attorney to Fight a Traffic Ticket?

Many drivers assume that paying a traffic ticket is easier than fighting it. However, before paying a ticket, it is important to consider what that decision could mean for your driving record, insurance, and future.

By contesting your traffic ticket with an experienced attorney, you may be able to:

Avoid the Infraction: Depending on the evidence and circumstances, the infraction may be dismissed.
Protect Your Driving Record: Avoid having another committed infraction added to your driving record.
Prevent Insurance Increases: A committed infraction may affect your insurance premiums, depending on your insurance company's policies.
Protect Your Driving Privileges: Certain violations and driving histories can lead to license suspension or other restrictions.
Protect Your Employment: A traffic violation may create problems if driving is part of your job or your employer requires a clean driving record.
Protect Your CDL: Commercial drivers face additional consequences for certain traffic violations, even when driving a personal vehicle.
Avoid Unnecessary Court Appearances: In many contested infraction cases, an attorney can appear on your behalf.

Every traffic case is different. There is no guarantee that a ticket can be dismissed, but having an attorney review the evidence and applicable law can help you understand your options and make an informed decision.

Why Choose Heritage Law Office?

At Heritage Law Office, we concentrate on traffic defense and have represented thousands of clients throughout Washington State. We understand that a traffic ticket is not just about paying a fine. For some clients, it is about protecting their employment. For others, it is about maintaining their driving privileges, protecting a CDL, or preventing insurance premiums from increasing.

We believe in providing honest advice and practical solutions. We will evaluate your situation, explain your options, and give you realistic expectations about what we may be able to accomplish. Honesty and trustworthiness are our highest priorities. If we cannot assist you, we will do our best to refer you to another qualified attorney. There are even times when we will explain why hiring an attorney may not be necessary.

Experience With Washington Courts

Heritage Law Office serves clients throughout Central Washington. Our offices in Cle Elum and Yakima are centrally located in Washington, allowing us to assist clients in courts throughout the region.

We have developed a strong understanding of local court procedures and regularly appear before judges and prosecutors in the communities we serve. Familiarity with the courts can make a difference when evaluating a case, understanding local procedures, and determining the best approach to defending a traffic infraction.

Unlike some out-of-area referral services, you know exactly which law office is representing you. We personally handle our clients' traffic matters and take pride in providing knowledgeable, dependable representation.

Responding to Your Washington Traffic Infraction

If you receive a traffic ticket in Washington, you generally have 30 days from the date the infraction is issued to respond to the court. Failing to respond within the required time can result in a finding that the infraction was committed and may limit your ability to request a hearing.

If you are considering fighting your ticket, it is important not to delay.

You generally have three options when responding to a traffic infraction:

Contested Hearing: You deny that you committed the infraction and request a hearing to challenge the allegations.
Mitigation Hearing: You acknowledge that you committed the infraction but want to explain the circumstances and ask the court to reduce the penalty.
Pay the Infraction: You pay the penalty, which generally results in a finding that the infraction was committed.

If you are unsure what to do, requesting a contested hearing preserves your opportunity to challenge the infraction. You may generally change your request to a mitigation hearing or payment before the hearing, subject to court procedures.

If you hire Heritage Law Office, we will explain the process and help you understand what needs to be done to protect your right to a contested hearing.

The Process to Hire Heritage Law Office

We have made hiring our office as simple and convenient as possible. Most of the process can be completed from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Contact Our Office: Give us a call, and we will email you a link to our online representation agreement.
Complete the Representation Agreement: You can complete and submit the agreement online using your phone, iPad, or computer. If you prefer a PDF that you can print, sign, and return by mail, fax, or email, simply let us know.
Confirmation and Payment: Within 1–2 business days after submitting your representation agreement, we will send you an email confirmation and an invoice. You can pay online by credit or debit card, ACH, or check.
Respond to Your Traffic Ticket: You must still respond to the original traffic infraction. If you wish to contest the ticket, mark the box requesting a Contested Hearing, provide your contact information, sign the ticket, and mail the original directly to the court. It is important that the court receives your response within the required deadline. Many courts require the response to be postmarked no later than 30 days after the infraction was issued.

This step is extremely important. If you fail to respond within the required time, the court may find the infraction committed and deny your request for a contested hearing. Our representation agreement does not eliminate your responsibility to respond to the ticket.
We Handle the Contested Hearing: Once you have completed the representation agreement, made payment, and properly responded to the court, Heritage Law Office will handle the contested hearing. In most cases, you will not need to attend court, although you are welcome to attend if you wish.
Receive Your Results: After the hearing, we will email you with the outcome and explain any additional steps that may be necessary.

Please remember that court notices are generally mailed to the address on file with the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). If you have recently moved, make sure your address is current so you do not miss important court notices.

Important: Heritage Law Office has not been retained to represent you until you have completed and submitted the online or PDF representation agreement and made payment. If you do not receive an email confirmation within 1–2 business days after submission, please contact our office at 509-899-5375.

Contact Heritage Law Office Today About Your Traffic Ticket

You do not have to fight a traffic ticket alone. Whether you received a speeding ticket, a cell phone violation, a CDL infraction, or another traffic citation, Heritage Law Office is here to help.

We serve clients in Kittitas County and throughout Central Washington, including Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Yakima, Kennewick, and Okanogan.

We offer free consultations and will take the time to understand your situation, explain your options, and help you determine the best way to proceed.

Before you pay your ticket, give us a call.

Heritage Law Office
509-899-5375
[email protected]

Local Traffic Infraction Attorney