District Court

Traffic Infraction Deferral

Traffic Infraction Deferral

Can I keep my traffic ticket “off my record”?

If you have received a traffic infraction, you may be eligible for a deferral. By successfully completing a deferral, the Court will not report your ticket to the Department of Licensing (DOL). You may defer only one moving infraction and only one non-moving infraction every seven years. The length of deferral is for a period of 1 year. As a condition of your deferral, you may be required to attend a Driver Improvement Class (Traffic School) and pay an administrative fee. If you commit a new traffic infraction at any location during your deferral or fail to attend traffic school or fail to pay the administrative fee, the Court will report your deferred ticket as a conviction to DOL. Any entry made other than an unconditional dismissal, not guilty finding, or not committed finding, will be deemed a committed finding for purposes of this deferral.

How do I ask the Court to defer my infraction?

You must file a completed Request to Defer Traffic Infraction Form  or submit your request online within 30 days of receipt of the violation you wish to have deferred. The Court in it’s own discretion, may allow a Deferred Finding after the initial 30 days have elapsed. When the Court receives your Request to Defer, it will be reviewed by a judge and, if appropriate, an Order will be signed setting conditions and costs. A copy of the signed Order will be mailed to you. The Court will not consider deferral requests on the day of a scheduled traffic infraction hearing if witnesses have been subpoenaed for and appear at your hearing. Drivers who have a CDL are not eligible for a deferral, even if the infraction occurred while driving a non-commercial vehicle.

Out-of-State drivers must provide a current copy of their home state driving record along with the completed Request to Defer Traffic Infraction form. This is to verify that their license does not have a Commercial Driver’s License endorsement and will be used to determine whether or not the defendant will be required to complete a traffic safety class.

What does it cost to defer my infraction?

You must pay an Administrative Fee which may be up to $175, which the court uses to cover the expense of checking your eligibility for deferral and to monitor your compliance with deferral terms. The judge may, in his or her own discretion, reduce the administrative fee.

Are there other costs?

You must pay to attend the traffic school, if required. The current charge for traffic school is approximately $45.

What if I don’t pay the administrative fee as scheduled, miss my traffic school appointment, or commit a new traffic infraction?

The Court will end your deferral and will report to DOL that you committed your traffic infraction. You will also then be required to pay the court the original amount of the violation. This amount is in addition to the Administrative Fee previously assessed. There are no exceptions to this policy.

What infractions do not qualify for deferral?

The Court does not allow deferral for the following infractions:

  • Passing a School Bus
  • Any infraction where a fatality occurred
  • No Insurance violations
  • No Valid Operator’s License – with ID
  • OR - Any infraction issued to a defendant who is operating a commercial vehicle or who has a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

 

Forms and Downloads:

Download and fill out the Request to Defer Traffic Infraction and send it to:

Chelan County District Court
350 Orondo Avenue, 4th Floor
Wenatchee WA 98801

or 

Submit your request online

 

 

Posted: 02/03/2015 12:26 PM
Last Updated: 02/16/2023 01:40 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 08
    Apr 2024
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    Small Quantity Generator Collection Event

    Posted by: Solid Waste Management

    Chelan County Public Works on April 8 will host a Small Quantity Generator collection event for small businesses looking to safely dispose of hazardous wastes. Participants MUST pre-register.

    Chelan County Moderate Risk Waste Facility
  • 03
    Apr 2024
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on April 3, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, meeting room No. 1
  • 27
    Mar 2024
    07:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Assessor's Office Community Meeting: Cashmere, South Wenatchee and Malaga

    Posted by: Chelan County Assessor

    Chelan County Assessor Wes Cornelius invites property owners and all interested parties to attend one of four community meetings scheduled this spring throughout the county.

    Wenatchee High School (new commons area)
  • 27
    Mar 2024
    06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

    Planning Commission - March 27, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 20
    Mar 2024
    06:00 PM - 07:00 PM

    Connect with Chelan County: District 1 Meeting

    Posted by: Board Of County Commissioners

    The Chelan County team is coming to a community near you. In March commissioners and a variety of department directors will hold a series of community-led discussions in each of the three districts the commissioners represent.

    Wenatchee High School (new commons area)