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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

You may 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.

Mitigation Hearing at the Courthouse

To have your hearing at the courthouse or over Zoom before a judge, you must check the “Mitigation Hearing” block on your copy of the ticket and mail it to the address shown below within thirty (30) days of the date that you received your citation. 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

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 you to complete an online form and email it to the court, explaining the circumstances of your violation. The judge will review the request and decide your case. You will receive your response within 4-6 weeks 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.

Request an e-Mitigation

Mitigation by Mail

You may also request a mitigation by mail. If you choose this option, 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 your letter to the address shown below within thirty (30) days from the date you received your ticket. A judge will review the request and decide 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

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 judge will decide the case based on a review of the submitted evidence and testimony. If found committed, traffic infractions will be reported to the Department of Licensing and will appear on your driving record. You must submit your request for a contested hearing within thirty (30) days of the date you receive the infraction.

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 mitigation or a deferral is no longer available.

Contested Hearing at the Courthouse

To have your hearing at the courthouse or over Zoom before a judge, you must check the “Contested Hearing” block on your copy of the ticket and mail it to the address shown below within thirty (30) days of the date that you received your citation. 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

You do not have to come to court to contest your ticket.

The local court rules of Thurston County District Court allow you to submit a written statement instead of appearing at a hearing. If you wish to submit an electronic written statement to be reviewed by a judge, please follow the instructions below. If you are currently scheduled for an in-person hearing and would like to switch to an e-contested, the request 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 note: contesting by email or mail is not available if you intend to subpoena witnesses.

Electronic Contested Hearing (e-Contested)

An e-contested allows you to complete an online form and email it to the court, explaining the circumstances of your violation to show that you did not commit the infraction. The judge will review the request along with any submitted evidence and decide your case without you having to appear. You will receive your response within 4-6 weeks at the email address you provide on the form. To request an e-contested hearing, please click the button below. Complete the form, then email it to DC_eRequests@co.thurston.wa.us.

Request an e-Contested Hearing

Contest by Mail

You may also contest your infraction by mail. If you choose this option, you must check the “Contested Hearing” block on your copy of the ticket and write a letter to the court explaining the circumstances of your violation to show that you did not commit the infraction, then mail your copy of the ticket and your letter to the address shown below within thirty (30) days of the date you received your ticket. You must clearly state in your letter that you wish your hearing to proceed via the court's contested hearing by mail option or an in-person hearing will be set. A judge will review the request and decide your case within 4-6 weeks. 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