Frequently Asked Questions – Traffic & Speeding Tickets
How do I hire the Law Offices of Dan Samas and what are the next steps?
To hire, click on the Fight My Ticket button and follow the three easy steps. The entire process can be completed online.
After we receive your online submission and payment, the Law Offices of Dan Samas will contact the local prosecutor, if necessary, review your case in detail, and develop the best strategy to fight your ticket. We will communicate any updates and will let you know if we need any additional information. At your contested hearing, the Law Offices of Dan Samas will fight your ticket and strive to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
What is the status of my case?
After we receive your payment, our office files the documents with the court. Once submitted, we must wait for the court to assign a hearing date, which can take time. You’ll receive your hearing date by mail once it’s scheduled. Please wait at least three weeks after your submission before checking in with our office, as the court’s processing time can vary.
Do I need to respond to my ticket?
Our office always submits a contested hearing request on your behalf. While this is sufficient, we also encourage clients to mark the contested hearing box and mail the ticket via US mail to the court within 30 days from receiving it as an additional safeguard.
Do I need to need to appear at the court hearing or submit a written statement?
You don’t need to take any action unless we contact you directly. Generally, you’re not required to appear in court or submit a written statement, unless your ticket is in Skagit County District Court, and even then, you may still not need to. Please do not come to the hearing unless we tell you to as we do not want to give the prosecutor or judge the chance to question you (which could jeopardize your case).
What percentage of your tickets are dismissed and why should I hire you?
Unfortunately, the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) does not allow attorneys to answer this question. The WSBA is concerned that lawyers could give the wrong impression to potential clients by providing this information. Each case is different and there are many factors that affect the outcome of a case including the identities of the prosecutor and the judge, the strength of the officer’s affidavit, and the procedures that are followed.
With that being said, as an experienced traffic ticket attorney, my client’s metro Seattle traffic tickets often are dismissed. If your traffic ticket is not dismissed, the Law Offices of Dan Samas can often arrange for a reduction to a non-moving violation so the ticket will not increase your insurance rates. Dan Samas has been an attorney since 1995 and has successfully represented thousands of motorists in traffic ticket cases.
What is a Deferred Finding?
A deferred finding allows your ticket to be dismissed if you meet certain conditions. The judge decides if you qualify, often based on your driving record. You’re generally ineligible if you’ve had a deferral in the past seven years or hold a commercial license.
If granted, you must pay an administrative fee, avoid new violations during the deferral period, and meet any additional conditions. If you comply, the ticket is dismissed and won’t appear on your record. If you don’t, the violation will be marked as committed and reported to the Department of Licensing.
What is a Mitigation Hearing?
A mitigation hearing is where you admit you committed the violation, but wish to explain the circumstances of the infraction to try to convince the judge to reduce the fine. For moving violations, your traffic violation will be reported to the Department of Licensing and your insurance rates may increase. Generally, your ticket will not be dismissed at a mitigation hearing.
What about Photo (Camera) Tickets?
Generally, it is not worth the cost to hire an attorney for a WA photo ticket because they are treated like expensive parking tickets and do not go on your DOL driving record that your insurance company reviews. The exception is that it may pay to hire a lawyer if you have prepaid legal insurance that pays your attorney fee. If you are covered by insurance, please let us know. Please be aware that if you were not driving, you may be able to have the ticket dismissed by submitting an affidavit to the court.