Traffic Violation vs. Traffic Crime

Directly under the title "Washington Uniform Citation and Complaint" is a series of boxes. The officer will have marked either Criminal or Infraction.

Traffic Criminal

A traffic criminal is a misdemeanor offense for which you could serve jail time.

Examples of those offenses include:

• Hit and Run
• Driving Under the Influence
• Reckless Driving

The arraignment date written on the bottom of the citation is a mandatory appearance.

Traffic Infraction

A traffic violation is a civil infraction offense for which the penalty is a fine.

Examples of those offenses include:

• Speeding
• Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device
• Driving While Uninsured