Failure to Appear for a Traffic Ticket

What is Failure to Appear?

If you do not respond to your Traffic Citation in a timely manner a Failure to Appear (FTA) will be added to your court file.

When you receive a traffic citation, you are required to respond to the court within 15 calendar days from the date of the infraction.

A failure to appear may make resolving your infraction more complicated. This depends on when the ticket was issued and which court has jurisdiction.

Failure to Appear Can Cause a License Suspension.

According to RCW 46.20.289.The Washington State Department of Licensing can suspend all driving privileges if they receive notice from the court that a person has:

• Failed to respond to a traffic citation.
• Failed to appear at a hearing.
• Violated a written promise to appear in court for the infraction.

How Long is my License Suspended or Revoked?

Your license can be suspended until you pay the fine or comply with the requirement to appear in court.

Steps to Reinstate Your License.

1. Once your failure to appear has been cleared with the court, they will issue a certificate of adjudication.
2. After the court notifies DOL that your failure to appear has been cleared, DOL will update your driving record to show your license is not suspended or revoked any more.
3. You will need to apply for a new license. You may need to pay a:
   • $75 reissue fee plus your licensing fees if the original charge wasn’t drug or alcohol related, or
   • $150 reissue fee plus your licensing fees if the original charge was drug or alcohol related.

There are many ways an experienced traffic attorney can fight your ticket for you.

EXCELLENT Based on 304 reviews.

Kylin Landry

2021-10-04

Gotten many tickets dropped or the charge reduced to a non moving violation. Yes it would be great if they all could be dropped but at the end of the day my insurance is still affordable. Anyone leaving bad reviews about the Merrill's not getting a charge totally dismissed did not listen or read well enough when entering the contact as they make it very clear that both are a possibility.

Doza m

2021-09-23

Took care of it just like Rick said he would. Will definitely use him again in the future if needed.

Bri Adams

2021-09-15

Rick Merrill was very responsive and easy to work with, handled my case perfectly and got me the result I was after. Definitely recommend him for any of your needs.

Roman Empire

2021-09-15

Kind and professional people. Will definitely be coming back!

Abraham Tewldeberham

2021-09-12

I want to start off by saying they have helped my family out tremendously. Their professionalism, efficiency and outstanding communication skills made our case a whole lot easier to understand and deal with.

Sylvia Magnusson

2021-09-09

Very Nice team to work with. Professional and compassionate. Will definitely recommend to anyone in need.

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