Tickets

Infractions

Important Information for Infractions:
  • Read your ticket carefully and check the appropriate box, sign your name and update your address if necessary.  You may drop off your ticket at the court offices located at 2220 Main Street or mail your infraction to the court at P.O. Box 291, Ferndale, WA 98248.
  • You must respond within 30 days from date of issuance if issued in person or 33 days if the citation was issued by mail.
  • If you fail to respond withing 30/33 days a late fee will be assessed and the Department of Licensing may be notified, which may result in the suspension of your license.
  • Your ticket will be referred to collections where additional fees and interest will be assessed.

There are three ways you can respond to your infraction.

Pay My Ticket

Your infraction will be found Committed.
  • Enclose a check or money order, in U.S. funds, for the amount listed on your infraction and mail it to the court office.
  • Pay at the court offices, the court will accept cash, check, debit or credit card.
  • Pay online with nCourt, additional fees may apply at www.ferndaletix.com.
  • Pay over the phone with a debit or credit card at nCourt at 1-800-701-8560.
  • You may contact the court and request a payment plan.
  • You understand that the infraction, if traffic related, will appear on your driving record.

Mitigation Hearing

A mitigation hearing is a hearing to explain the circumstances, but you have agreed that you have committed the infraction but ask the judge to reduce your ticket based on mitigating circumstances.  There is no appeal from a mitigation hearing.
  • You understand the infraction, if traffic related, will appear on your driving record.
  • Certain infractions may not be mitigated by authority of Washington State law.  These include Speeding in a School Zone, Speeding in a Construction Zone, and Passing a Stopped School Bus While Red Lights are Flashing.
  • To request a hearing, you can mail your request to the court and a court date will be mailed to you.

Mitigation Hearing Online

To request a hearing online, you can complete the Online hearing form.  The court will advise you of the court's decision.
  • Use this form if you agree the infraction was committed, and you are requesting the court to consider a fine reduction or Deferred Finding.
  • Do not use this form is you are contesting the infraction.  Choosing this option will not result in a dismissal of your infraction.
  • If your ticket is for not having the correct documentation, please provide the appropriate document(s) to be considered for dismissal or reduction. For example: Proof of Insurance, Copy of Vehicle Registration, Proof of Valid Driver's License, etc.

Online Mitigation Form

Contested Hearing

A contested hearing is a hearing where you challenge the infraction.  You are stating that you did not commit the alleged infraction.  The City must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that you committed the infraction.  To request a hearing, you can bring your copy of the citation to the court office or mail it to the court and a court date will be scheduled for you.  
  • You cannot contest online.

Radar Certificates

Deferred Findings

You are allowed one (1) deferred finding on a Traffic Infraction within a seven (7) year period, and one (1) deferred finding of a Non-Traffic Infraction within a seven (7) year period.  If you have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) you are not eligible for Deferred Findings.  
  • A finding of Committed in this case is deferred for one year commencing the day the Deferred Finding is granted.  
  • You must pay the face amount of your citation in full within 30 days from entry of Deferred Finding.
  • This infraction will be dismissed at the end of the one-year period provided the court is able to verify upon review that you have not committed any traffic infractions or criminal traffic offenses during that period.
  • If you have committed any such offenses, or if you have not paid the citation in full within 30 days, the court will find this infraction Committed without further notice. Additional penalties may be assessed, and Department of Licensing will be notified and may suspend your driving privileges. 

Criminal Tickets

If you receive a criminal citation from a Ferndale Police Officer or in the mail, your appearance in court is mandatory. You have been charged with a crime.  Look for an appearance (arraignment) date near the top of the citation.  
  • Failure to appear will result in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest.
  • The first appearance in court is the arraignment.  Decisions will be made regarding bail or releasing the defendant on his/her own person recognizance.
  • The court will set dates for future proceedings, such as pretrial hearings, pretrial motions, and trial.  
  • The court will also inquire about the need for a court appointed attorney.