Traffic Crime vs. Traffic ViolationDirectly 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
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