(1) A notice of traffic infraction
represents a determination that an infraction has been committed.
The determination will be final unless contested as provided in
this chapter.
(2) The form for the notice of traffic infraction shall be
prescribed by rule of the supreme court and shall include the
following:
(a) A statement that the notice represents a determination
that a traffic infraction has been committed by the person named
in the notice and that the determination shall be final unless
contested as provided in this chapter;
(b) A statement that a traffic infraction is a noncriminal
offense for which imprisonment may not be imposed as a sanction;
that the penalty for a traffic infraction may include sanctions
against the person's driver's license including suspension,
revocation, or denial; that the penalty for a traffic infraction
related to standing, stopping, or parking may include nonrenewal
of the vehicle license;
(c) A statement of the specific traffic infraction for which
the notice was issued;
(d) A statement of the monetary penalty established for the
traffic infraction;
(e) A statement of the options provided in this chapter for
responding to the notice and the procedures necessary to exercise
these options;
(f) A statement that at any hearing to contest the
determination the state has the burden of proving, by a
preponderance of the evidence, that the infraction was committed;
and that the person may subpoena witnesses including the officer
who issued the notice of infraction;
(g) A statement that at any hearing requested for the
purpose of explaining mitigating circumstances surrounding the
commission of the infraction the person will be deemed to have
committed the infraction and may not subpoena witnesses;
(h) A statement that the person must respond to the notice
as provided in this chapter within fifteen days or the person's
driver's license or driving privilege will be suspended by the
department until any penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter
have been satisfied; and
(i) A statement that failure to appear at a hearing
requested for the purpose of contesting the determination or for
the purpose of explaining mitigating circumstances will result in
the suspension of the person's driver's license or driving
privilege, or in the case of a standing, stopping, or parking
violation, refusal of the department to renew the vehicle
license, until any penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter
have been satisfied.
[2006 c 270 § 2; 1993 c 501 § 9; 1984 c 224 § 2; 1982 1st ex.s. c 14 § 2; 1980 c 128 § 1; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 8.]
NOTES:
Severability -- Effective date -- 1984 c 224: See notes following RCW 46.16.216.
Effective date -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 14: "This act shall take effect on July 1, 1984, and shall apply to violations of traffic laws committed on or after July 1, 1984." [1982 1st ex.s. c 14 § 7.]
Severability -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 14: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1982 1st ex.s. c 14 § 6.]
Effective date -- 1980 c 128: "Sections 1 through 8 and 10 through 16 of this act shall take effect on January 1, 1981, and shall apply to violations of the traffic laws committed on or after January 1, 1981. Section 9 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately." [1980 c 128 § 18.]
Severability -- 1980 c 128: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1980 c 128 § 17.]
Effective date -- Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.