Infractions

Important Information for Infractions

  • Read your ticket carefully and check the appropriate box, sign your name and update your address if necessary.  Mail your infraction to the court at P.O. Box 291, Ferndale, WA 98248 or bring it to the clerk's office at 2220 Main Street, Ferndale.
  • You must respond within 30 days from the date of issuance if issued in person or 33 days if the citation was issued by mail.
  • If you fail to respond within 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

  • Enclose a check or money order, in U.S. funds, for the amount listed on your infraction and mail it to the courthouse.
  • Pay at the court clerk's office, the court will accept cash, check, debit or credit card.
  • Pay online through nCourt, additional fees may apply.
  • Pay over the phone with a debit or credit card at nCourt a 1-800-701-8560, additional fees may apply.
  • 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, you have agreed that you have committed the infraction, but ask the judge to reduce your ticket based on mitigating circumstances.  You understand the infraction, if traffic related, will appear on your driving record.  There is no appeal from a mitigation hearing. To request a hearing you can mail your request to the court and a court date will be mailed to you, or bring your ticket to the clerk's office.

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 Lights are Flashing.  If you have a Commercial Driver's License you may not mitigate or Defer.

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 mail your ticket to P.O. Box 291, Ferndale, WA 98248, or bring it to the clerk's office at 2220 Main Street.