Respond to Ticket

Set a Hearing Date

Criminal Misdemeanors & Gross Misdemeanor Cases

In most cases, the officer issuing a criminal ticket has written or printed an arraignment hearing date on the face of the ticket. You are required to appear at the hearing or, if the officer did not provide a date, you must appear at the Municipal Court Clerk's Office within the number of days indicated by the officer to schedule an arraignment hearing.

If you do not appear at your arraignment or you fail to come in to schedule a hearing and probable cause that you committed the crime is determined by a judicial officer, a warrant will be issued for your arrest. See Warrants for information on resolving a warrant and scheduling a new hearing.

Infractions (other than Parking or Photo Enforcement)

You must respond within 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. To respond, select one of the options as provided on the ticket and return it to the Municipal Court Clerk's Office by delivering it in person or by mail. If you elect to mail your response, it must be postmarked by midnight on the day it is due.

If you request a mitigated or contested hearing, notice of the hearing will be mailed to you at the address you provide on the ticket. In lieu of your personal appearance at the hearing, you may submit a written statement to the Court either contesting the infraction or explaining mitigating circumstances. Use the Court's contest (PDF 168 KB) or mitigate (PDF 168 KB) form depending on your request, or see IRLJ 2.4(b)(4) for what the Court will accept as your written statement.

If you fail to respond timely or do not appear for your hearing, the following actions will occur:

  • A finding of committed will be entered for the full amount of the fine.
  • A $52 fee will be assessed.
  • The account will be referred to a collection agency if unpaid.
  • If it is a traffic violation, notice will be sent to the Department of Licensing that may result in the suspension of your driving privileges.
Parking Infractions

You must respond within 30 days from the date the ticket was issued. To respond, select one of the options as provided on the ticket and return it to the Municipal Court Clerk's Office, either by delivering it in person or via mail. If you elect to mail your response, it must be postmarked by midnight on the day it is due. You may also schedule a hearing online at parkspokane.aimsparking.com

If you request a mitigated or contested hearing, notice of the hearing will be mailed to you at the address you provide on the ticket. In lieu of your personal appearance at the hearing, you may submit a written statement to the Court either contesting the infraction or explaining mitigating circumstances. Use the Court's contest (PDF 168 KB) or mitigate (PDF 168 KB) form depending on your request, or see IRLJ 2.4(b)(4) for what the Court will accept as your written statement.

If you fail to respond timely or do not appear for your hearing, the following actions will occur:

  • A finding of committed will be entered for the full amount of the fine.
  • A $25 fee will be assessed.
  • The account will be referred to a collection agency if unpaid.
  • Notice will be sent to the Department of Licensing which may prevent renewal of the vehicle license.
Photo Enforcement Infractions

You must respond by the due date indicated on the front of the Notice of Infraction. To respond, select one of the options as provided on the ticket and return by mail to:

American Traffic Solutions
City of Spokane
Red Light Photo Enforcement Program
P.O. Box 27748
Tempe, AZ 85285

Prior to requesting a hearing, view the still pictures and video clip of the alleged violation at ViolationInfo.com using the ticket number and PIN provided on the notice of infraction. Computer access to view the still pictures and video is also available in the Municipal Court lobby and the Public Library. Your response must be postmarked by midnight on the day it is due.

If you request a mitigated or contested hearing, notice of the hearing will be mailed to you at the address you provide on the ticket. In lieu of your personal appearance at the hearing, you may submit a written statement to the Court either contesting the infraction or explaining mitigating circumstances. Use the form included with your ticket or the Court's contest (PDF 168 KB) or mitigate (PDF 168 KB) form depending on your request, or see IRLJ 2.4(b)(4) for what the Court will accept as your written statement.

If you fail to respond timely or do not appear for your hearing, the following actions will occur:

  • A finding of committed will be entered for the full amount of the fine.
  • A $25 fee will be assessed.
  • The account will be referred to a collection agency if unpaid.
  • Notice will be sent to the Department of Licensing which may prevent renewal of the vehicle license.
Impound Hearings

Impound Hearings (see Vehicle Impounds and Infractions on the FAQs page).

Reschedule a Hearing

Criminal Misdemeanors & Gross Misdemeanor Matters

You or your attorney must appear personally at the Municipal Court Clerk's Office, prior to the originally scheduled hearing, to complete the scheduling order process.

Scheduling Order Process:

  1. Fill out a Scheduling Order (available at the Clerk's Office).
  2. Present the form to the City Prosecutor for review and signature.
  3. Present the form to a judicial officer for review and signature.
  4. File the completed Scheduling Order at the Clerk's Office prior to the scheduled hearing.
Infractions

The process for rescheduling an infraction hearing depends upon the type of violation and the type of hearing scheduled. In all cases, a request to reschedule a hearing must be received prior to the originally scheduled hearing.

Mitigated/Contested Infraction Hearing (Not Photo Enforcement)

A request to continue a mitigation or contested hearing must be made following the Scheduling Order Process for misdemeanors above.

Photo Enforcement Infraction

Contact American Traffic Solutions at 866.790.4111 or visit Violation Info for more information on rescheduling your hearing.

Missed Hearing

Criminal Misdemeanors & Gross Misdemeanor Matters

If you fail to appear for a misdemeanor hearing, the following actions will occur:

  • If a judicial officer finds probable cause you committed the offense at issue, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.
  • If the misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor offense at issue is a traffic violation or is a Minor in Possession of Alcohol, the Department of Licensing will be notified which may result in the suspension of your driving privileges.

See the Warrants and Bail/Bonds page for information on resolving a warrant and scheduling a new hearing.

Infractions

If you fail to appear for an infraction hearing, the following actions will occur:

  • A finding of committed will be entered for the full amount of the fine.
  • A $52 fee will be assessed ($25 for parking or photo enforcement).
  • The account will be referred to a collection agency if not paid immediately.
  • Notice will be sent to the Department of Licensing which may result in the suspension of your driving privileges (traffic violation) or prevent renewal of the vehicle license (parking or photo enforcement).

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Contact Information

Municipal Court Clerk's Office
1100 W Mallon Ave
Spokane, WA 99260
509.625.4400
mcadmin@spokanecity.org

Audio Recordings

Most of the hearings held in Spokane Municipal Court are digitally recorded. To access the audio recording for a specific hearing:

  • Click on the Search Recordings link below.
  • Click on the filter icon
  • Under "Filter By Agency:" you must search City of Spokane, WA Municipal Court
  • Clink on the docket and the recording will begin playing.

Related Links

Bench Copies

To serve bench copies to a Judicial Officer please email:
Jeanine Sword
Judicial Administrative Assistant
jsword@spokanecity.org

Please ensure compliance with SPMCrRLJ 8.2(d).

Related Links