Respond To My Ticket
You have several options on how to respond to your ticket. Whichever way you choose, you must respond to the court within thirty (30) days of the date you received the infraction. Failure to respond can result in an increase of the amount you must pay and in the suspension of your driver's license.
Read your entire ticket before responding. Click each option below to better understand the options before making your decision.
For general information about traffic tickets, click here.
Click here to pay your ticket
A deferral is an opportunity to have your ticket dismissed and not reported to the Department of Licensing. You must submit your request for a deferral within thirty (30) days of the date you received the infraction.
Click here to read the FAQ regarding deferrals.
You do not have to come to court to defer your ticket.
You may qualify for a deferral if:
- You have not had a deferral within the last seven years.
- You do not have a commercial driver's license (CDL) in any state.
- The infraction is not for:
- passing a school bus
- speeding in a construction zone
- any infraction where a fatality occurred
- If the infraction is for operating a motor vehicle without insurance, you can show proof of insurance when you request the deferral
Conditions of a deferral
- You must pay a $150 administrative fee within 90 days.
- You must pay an additional $70 for each additional charge listed on your traffic ticket.
- You must not commit any new traffic infractions for six (6) months.
If you meet both conditions, your ticket will be dismissed, and it will not be reported to the Department of Licensing.
If you do not comply with both conditions, a committed finding will be entered for your infraction, and this will be reported to the Department of Licensing. In addition, a $52.00 penalty may be assessed for failure to pay the administrative fee. A failure to respond may be ordered and notification sent to the Department of Licensing to begin processing a suspension for your driver's license. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Requesting a deferral
To request a deferral, please click the button below. Complete the form, then email it to TCDC@co.thurston.wa.us
You may also request a deferral by completing the Request to Defer Traffic Infraction form, printing it, and mailing it to the address below. If you do not have access to a printer, you may come to the courthouse to complete the form.
Mail completed forms to:
Thurston County District Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Bldg. 3
Olympia, WA 98502
A mitigation hearing is a hearing for you to admit to the violation but explain the circumstances to the judge to request a reduction of the amount of your fine. After hearing your case the judge may (or may not) reduce the penalty. Mitigated traffic infractions will be reported to the Department of Licensing and will appear on your driving record. You must submit your request for a mitigation hearing within thirty (30) days of the date you receive the infraction.
You do not have to come to court to mitigate your ticket.
You also do not have to come to court to request a payment plan or to perform community service instead of paying a fine. If you would like either of these, include that request in the e-Mitigation form or the letter you write to the court.
Electronic Mitigation (e-Mitigation)
An e-mitigation allows to you complete an online form and email it to the court, explaining the circumstances of your violation. The judge will review the request and make a decision on your case. You will receive your response at the email address you provide on the form. To request an e-mitigation hearing, please click the button below. Complete the form, then email it to DC_eRequests@co.thurston.wa.us.
Mitigation by Mail
You may also request a mitigation hearing by mail. If you choose this option, then within thirty (30) days from the date you received your ticket, you must check the “Mitigation Hearing” block on your copy of the ticket, write a letter to the court explaining the circumstances of your violation, and mail your copy of the ticket and the letter to the address shown below. A judge will review the request and make a decision on your case. You will receive your response by mail at the address you provide on the ticket.
Mail the letter and your copy of the ticket to:
Thurston County District Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Bldg. 3
Olympia, WA 98502
Mitigation Hearing at the Courthouse
To have your hearing at the courthouse in front of a judge, then within thirty (30) days from the date that you received your citation, you must check the “Mitigation Hearing” block on the copy of your ticket and mail that copy to the address shown below. Within two weeks, you should receive a hearing notice with the date and time of your hearing. The notice will be mailed to the address you provide on your copy of the ticket. The hearing will be held at
Thurston County District Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Bldg. 3
Olympia, WA 98502
A contested hearing is a hearing you request if you do not believe you committed the infraction and want to explain your case to the judge. The local court rules of Thurston County District Court allow you to submit a written statement instead of appearing at a hearing in person. If you wish to submit an electronic written statement to be reviewed by a judge instead of appearing at the courthouse, please follow the instructions below. If you are currently scheduled for an in person hearing and would like to switch to an electronic statement, this form must be received by the court at least three (3) business days before the hearing. You must also provide the court with a valid e-mail address so the court can advise you of the judge's decision. Please use the ticket you received to complete the form.
Please note: contested hearings by email or mail are not available if you intend to subpoena witnesses.
Hearing requests must be submitted to the court within thirty (30) days from the date you receive the ticket.
Before submitting a request for a contested hearing, review all the options above for responding to your ticket, including the deferral information. Be advised, once an infraction has been contested, your ability to request a deferral is no longer available.
Electronic Request for Contested Hearing
To submit your request for an electronic contested hearing, please click the button below. Complete the form, then email it to DC_eRequests@co.thurston.wa.us.
Request a Contested Hearing by Mail
You may also request a contested hearing by mail. If you choose this option, then within thirty (30) days from the date you received your ticket, you must check the “Contested Hearing” block on your copy of the ticket and mail it to the address shown below. You must clearly state that you wish your hearing to proceed via the court's contested hearing by mail option or an in person hearing will be set.
Mail your completed copy of the ticket to:
Thurston County District Court
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Bldg. 3
Olympia, WA 98502