By Patrick Robinson

With the massive influx of people into Seattle, more than 1000 every week according to the Census Bureau as reported by the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2017, and it’s reasonable to assume the first thing new residents do isn’t checking with local law enforcement for the cost of potential violations.

Even long time residents are not likely aware of what it costs to deal with a violation here. From breaking traffic laws to being less than careful with a pet, the list of fines is long and interesting.

First up, you can’t drive around with your cellphone at your ear.

The Seattle Police and other agencies know that distracted driving is a problem of course and they are on the look out. That means holding or using your cellphone or tablet while driving can get you pulled over.

• The first ticket will cost at least $136
• If you get another ticket within five years, that will cost you at least $234

You can even be called in via 911 for this offense. It’s called Driving Under the Influence of Electronics.

What is allowed

Hands-free use like Bluetooth. You are also allowed a single touch to start a function. Rule of thumb, start GPS, music, etc. before you start driving.

What isn’t allowed

Drivers may not use hand-held cell phones while they are driving, stopped in traffic, or at a stop light. However, these do not apply if you are contacting emergency services.

There are of course many other ways to break the law around here.

The City of Seattle, through the Municipal Court lists 1312 violations (which they say is only a partial list) that carry a monetary penalty. Some of them are unexpected and some quite surprising, while some seem almost reasonable.

See their violations table here: http://web1.seattle.gov/courts/violation/

This gets a little complex but it’s worth understanding the distinctions especially if you are charged with an offense. The table includes civil infractions, parking violations, and criminal charges. Most violations will have a dollar amount in the “Bail” column, however, what this represents varies based on whether it is a civil violation/infraction/parking or a criminal charge.

For civil infractions, traffic tickets, camera violations and parking violations (violation types IN, IT, TC, IP), the dollar amount in the bail column represents the amount of the fine on the ticket issued at the time of violation. For example, if you commit a speed violation in a school zone, SMC 11.52.100, TC (traffic camera), the fine is $234.

For criminal charges (CN) including criminal traffic (CT) violations, the dollar amount in the Bail column is statutory bail. The schedule is based on the schedule set by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Bail amounts listed for criminal charges are suggested base amounts only; actual bail amounts set on a case can be higher or lower than the amount listed on the Bail Schedule. Judges may use criteria such as the severity of charges or allegations, criminal history, and warrant history to determine what the bail amount will be after reviewing each individual case. For more information visit:  https://aoc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1846/~/bail-amounts-and-procedures.

Misdemeanor criminal charges may also have a financial penalty up to $1000 and/or 90 days in jail assessed at sentencing. Gross misdemeanor charges may have financial penalties up to $5000 and/or 364 days in jail in Seattle Municipal Court.

Also, if the violation code has an R in front, this is referring to an RCW and not a Seattle Municipal Code violation. Most of the civil infractions filed in our court are filed under the SMC code and the local ordinance mirrors a state statute (RCW). Sometimes when the state passes new legislation (RCW), there is a lag before the City of Seattle/City Council passes a comparable City Ordinance (SMC). You may want to make sure the reader knows that if they are cited for a violation under a local ordinance, it is likely there is a matching state law so they could be cited anywhere in Washington for the same violation.

Back in 2016 the Seattle instituted a 20 mph speed limit on residential streets of 20 mph. All other streets will be a default speed of 25 mph, though it will vary. Speeding is a $72 ticket. If you don’t know the speed limit on a street, you can see the posted signs or check the Speed Limit Map on Seattle.gov .

There are good reasons behind this since as they point out, 9 out of 10 pedestrians survive being hit by a vehicle at 20 mph. At 30 mph only 5 out of 10 do and at 40 mph 90% of people die from the impact.

The range of infractions points out things that most reasonable people wouldn’t do. But then there are always a few who don’t care.

Shoulder driving is $136, driving in a bike lane is also $136 but driving on the median is $423. A median is the strip of land that separates two opposing lanes of traffic.

More serious infractions carry higher penalties as you’d  expect  with Negligent Driving getting you a $500 ticket. Reckless driving is a $1000 ticket. Reckless driving/racing is also a $1000 fine.

Display of a non-valid drivers license is $500. Display of someone else’s drivers license is $500. If you hit and run from an unattended vehicle it will cost you $500. A hit and run with property damage is $500. If you fail to obey a peace officer it will cost you $500

A minor driving a vehicle after consuming alcohol will get a $1000 fine. And if you have had alcohol problems that meant you had to have an ignition interlock installed, operating a vehicle without that ignition interlock is $1000.

Dangerously distracted driving is $99. Think, grooming yourself, eating, reading will be cited if you are pulled over for another violation.

A Two-way left turn violation is $136

Driving with no insurance is $550

Failing to yield has a lot of potential violations from a $47 fine for not yielding within 30 feet of a yield sign up to $1062 for failing to yield or stop for an emergency vehicle.

You might also notice that Metro buses have a YIELD sign on them. Passing them as they are pulling out or failing to yield is not legal.

The new two way turning lanes on Delridge Way SW, 35th SW and Roxbury Street are all no passing zones so if you pass somebody, it could cost you $136.

And you’ve likely seen people do a U Turn directly in front of you. If a patrol officer sees it, that could mean a $136 fine.

However If you run out of gas and have to coast your vehicle it could also cost you $136.

How many kinds of parking tickets?

There are 119 different kinds of parking tickets, most of which range from $44 to $47 though if you park in an electric vehicle parking station with your gas powered car it's going to cost you $124 and if you refuse to show a disabled placard you will pay $250.

Some of the more interesting violations not related to driving include:

Clock head not bare  $500 (referring to an outdoor clock)

If your outdoor street clock shows the wrong time… that’s another $500 fine.

If your newsstand is improperly maintained that’s $500. In fact there are seven separate potential violations for newsstands each of them levied at $500.

The unlawful discharge of a laser is $1000. If you do that near the airport that’s a whole new level of trouble

Unnecessary whistles and lights is a $54 ticket.. which is likely not heavily enforced on New Year’s Eve.

Urinating in a park will cost you $27

Jaywalking is a $68 fine.

If your parking lot has no numbers.. that’s a $500 ticket too.

There’s been a lot of conversation about not criminalizing homelessness but camping in a public park is $150. Siting or lying on a sidewalk costs $23.

If you are a gun owner you might want to know that having a loaded firearm in a vehicle is listed, but the fine is $0…yes no fine.

And if you are an animal lover make sure you train them well. If your miniature goat leaves the premises be prepared to pay $54.

The serious crime of Sexual Assault is a $1000 violation and Sexual Exploitation is a $500 fine but Sexual Exploitation of a Minor has no monetary penalty in the violations table but does have criminal penalties of course.

To be sure, some criminal bail amounts with civil fines are not comparable to other infractions regarding the monetary penalty.

Many of the violations might carry additional penalties assessed by the State of Washington so, the amounts listed might well not be the end of it. Plus, since traffic violations are reported to your insurance company, or if you choose to contest it and need legal advice or assistance your costs there could well go up as well.

By the way if you DO get a ticket out there you can view it online at https://www.violationinfo.com where there is a link to pay the fine.

So, word to the wise. Take it easy out there. Be thoughtful, careful and if you think something is illegal, it probably is. If you don’t see a particular offense listed remember it’s up to the officer to make the charge as to severity or specifics.

If you would like to learn more about Court Rules and Violation Codes please review the Seattle Municipal Code, the Seattle Municipal Court Local Court Rules, the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), or Washington State's Criminal Rules for Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (CRLJ).