INFRACTIONS

• YOU MUST RESPOND WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE ISSUED

OPTIONS FOR RESPONDING:

Payment of the Citation:

Online: You can conveniently pay your District Court fines and infractions online using Point & Pay. Please click here to access online payment information.

In Person or Over the Phone: Payment can be made in person at 345 W. Main Street, 3rd Floor, Chehalis, WA 98532. Cash, check, money order or debit/credit card payments are accepted at our front counter. Payment may also be made over the phone using a debit or credit card. The number to call for payment over the telephone is (360) 740-1203.

***PLEASE NOTE*** There is a processing fee of 2.95% with a minimum of $2.00 for all debit or credit card payments.

Mitigation Hearing: You agree the infraction was committed but you want a hearing to explain the circumstances.The infraction will go on your driving record.

Contested Hearing: You want to challenge the infraction because you did not commit the infraction. The state must prove by a preponderance (more than likely) of the evidence that the infraction was committed. You can require witnesses, including the officer who wrote the ticket to attend the hearing. The court will tell you how to request a witness's appearance. If it is found you committed the infraction, it will go on your driving record. If it is found the infraction did not occur, the case will be dismissed and will NOT go on your driving record.

If you are presenting video or audio recordings as evidence, the recordings must be stored on a thumb drive or CD, and you must bring your own equipment (i.e. laptop) to display the contents to the Court. The thumb drive/CD will be retained by the court. If you use your phone as your player, it will be retained by the court.

Deferral: The Judge may defer an infraction for six months to a year. Providing conditions are met, the charge would be dismissed. Please contact the court for information.

You have the same options as traffic infractions, Non-traffic infractions DO NOT go on your driving record.

Mitigation, Contested and Deferral requests can be heard by mail. Although, Deferrals can be requested on either form. If for any reason it is not granted, the hearing will be held according to the chosen form.

Deferral/Mitigation hearing by written statement - Use to request a Deferral or in the alternative, explain the circumstances. A Deferral will be entered if qualifications are met. If qualifications are not met the Judge will consider the mitigating circumstances before assessing a penalty. A request for a deferral will need to be checked or the Judge will only consider the circumstances.

Deferral/Contested hearing by written statement - Use to request a Deferral or in the alternative, contest the infraction. A Deferral will be entered if qualifications are met. If qualifications are not met the Judge will read the explanation and the officer' s affidavit before making a decision that the infraction(s) were committed or not committed.

Motion to Vacate - Use to request a hearing on an infraction that judgment was entered on because of failure to appear or failure to pay the citation.

*AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2024, LEWIS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT WILL NO LONGER ALLOW VIDEO APPEARANCES.*

Click here for information on infraction payment plans.