Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

Courts offering amnesty from traffic fine collections during the month of October

In an effort to help citizens regain their driving licenses, more than 100 courts of limited jurisdiction throughout Washington State will offer “collection amnesty programs” throughout the month of October. 

Designed to help those with outstanding traffic tickets and fines, district and municipal courts and their collection agencies have agreed to waive interest and a significant portion of collection costs on tickets currently in collection.  

Skagit County District Court held a similar amnesty program in 2001, and is working to coordinate the effort for other courts throughout the state.    “Everyone has financial problems at some time or another,” said Skagit County District Court Judge David Svaren.  “The purpose of this program is to allow defendants an opportunity to pay their fines to be re-licensed.  We believe it is preferable to have licensed and insured drivers on highways throughout our state.”

While each court program will differ slightly, most courts are offering the 30-day program from October 1 through October 31, 2002.  Those with outstanding tickets or fines should contact their local court, which will direct them to the appropriate collection agency.  Clerks will also be able to provide names of other courts where fines may be outstanding.    

Once the tickets are paid in full and reported to the court, adjudication slips must be delivered to the Department of Licensing to clear a driving record and obtain a valid drivers license.

According to a court workgroup devoted to Warrant Resolution, driving with a suspended license is estimated to occupy nearly 5% of all jail beds at any given time.  

Courts participating in the Amnesty Program are listed below.

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COURTS PARTICIPATING IN THE COLLECTION AMNESTY PROGRAM

For contact information, please visit the online court directory at http://www.courts.wa.gov/directory/home.cfm

ADAMS COUNTY:
Othello District Court
Ritzville District Court

BENTON COUNTY:

Benton County District Court

CHELAN COUNTY:
Chelan County District Court
Chelan Municipal Court

CLALLAM COUNTY:
Clallam County District Court
Clallam County District Court 2

CLARK COUNTY:
Clark County District Court
Battle Ground Municipal Court

COLUMBIA COUNTY:
Columbia County District Court
Dayton Municipal Court

DOUGLAS COUNTY:
Douglas County District Court
Bridgeport Municipal Court
East Wenatchee Municipal Court

FERRY COUNTY:

Ferry County District Court

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY:
Grays Harbor District Court Dept 1
Grays Harbor District Court Dept 2
Aberdeen Municipal
Cosmopolis Municipal Court
Elma Municipal Court
Hoquiam Municipal Court
McCleary Municipal Court
Montesano Municipal Court
Oakville Municipal Court
Ocean Shores Municipal Court
Westport Municipal Court

ISLAND COUNTY:
Island County District Court
Coupeville Municipal Court
Langley Municipal Court
Oak Harbor Municipal Court

JEFFERSON COUNTY:
Jefferson District Court

KING COUNTY:
Auburn Municipal Court 

Bothell Municipal Court
Des Moines Municipal Court
Enumclaw Municipal Court
Federal Way Municipal Court
Kent Municipal Court
Kirkland Municipal Court
Pacific Municipal Court
SeaTac Municipal Court
Tukwila Municipal Court

KITSAP COUNTY:
Kitsap District Court
Bainbridge Island Municipal Court
Bremerton Municipal Court
Port Orchard Municipal Court
Poulsbo Municipal Court

KITTITAS COUNTY:
Upper Kittitas District Court
Lower Kittitas District Court
Cle Elum Municipal Court
Roslyn Municipal Court

KLICKITAT COUNTY:
East District Court
West District Court

LINCOLN COUNTY:
Lincoln County District Court

MASON COUNTY:
Mason County District Court
Shelton Municipal Court

OKANOGAN COUNTY:
Okanogan County District Court
Brewster Municipal Court
Omak Municipal Court
Tonasket Municipal Court

PIERCE COUNTY:
Pierce District Court 1
Pierce District Court 2
Pierce District Court 3
Pierce District Court 4
Bonney Lake Municipal Court
Buckley Municipal Court
DuPont Municipal Court
Fife Municipal Court
Fircrest Municipal Court
Gig Harbor Municipal Court
Lakewood Municipal Court
Milton Municipal Court
Orting Municipal Court
Puyallup Municipal Court
Ruston Municipal Court
South Prairie/Wilkeson Municipal Court
Steilacoom Municipal Court
Sumner Municipal Court

Tacoma Municipal Court

SAN JUAN COUNTY:
San Juan County District Court

SKAGIT COUNTY:
Skagit County District Court
Anacortes Municipal Court
Burlington Municipal Court
Concrete Municipal Court
Mount Vernon Municipal Court
Sedro Woolley Municipal Court

SKAMANIA COUNTY:
Skamania County District Court

SNOHOMISH COUNTY:
Edmonds Municipal Court
Lynnwood Municipal Court
Marysville Municipal Court

SPOKANE COUNTY:
Airway Heights Municipal Court
Deer Park Municipal Court

Medical Lake Municipal Court
Spokane Municipal Court

STEVENS COUNTY:
Stevens County District Court

THURSTON COUNTY:
Thurston County District Court

Olympia Municipal Court
Rainier Municipal Court
Tenino Municipal Court
Tumwater Municipal Court
Yelm Municipal Court

WHATCOM COUNTY:
Whatcom County District Court
Bellingham Municipal Court
Blaine Municipal Court
Everson-Nooksack Municipal Court
Ferndale Municipal Court
Sumas Municipal Court

WHITMAN COUNTY:
Whitman County District Court (Colfax Branch)
Whitman County District Court (Pullman Branch)

YAKIMA COUNTY: 
Toppenish Municipal Court
Union Gap Municipal Court