Tickets

Citation tickets - MANDATORY APPEARANCE ON A CRIMINAL MATTER

You can contact the Othello District Court at 509-488-3935 to verify when your court date is set. The court also mails a notice to the address on file notifying you in writing when to appear. If you do not receive a notice within fifteen (15) days, please contact the court immediately.

When you appear, you will be advised of your constitutional rights; the charge(s) against you; and the maximum penalty. If you qualify, a Public Defender may be appointed to represent you.

IF YOU DO NOT APPEAR this may result in a warrant for your arrest and detention in jail. Also, if "Traffic" is checked you may lose your driver's license/privilege.

Infraction tickets - This is a civil (non-criminal) offense for which you cannot go to jail

  • You MUST RESPOND within thirty (30) days of the date the ticket was issued or thirty-three (33) days from the date the notice is mailed.

  • Check one of the 4 boxes in the upper right corner of the ticket, then fill out mailing address, sign, date.

    • Pay*- I have enclosed a check or money order, in U.S. funds, for the amount listed. (DO NOT SEND CASH) and understand this will go on my driving record if “traffic” is checked.
    • Payment Plan*- I am requesting options for payments and I admit responsibility for the infraction.
    • Mitigation Hearing*- I am requesting a hearing to explain the circumstances and agree I have committed the infraction.
    • Contested Hearing*- I am requesting a hearing to contest (challenge) this infraction. I did not commit the infraction.

  • Alternatively, you may be eligible to DEFER the infraction. To find out more,                                                                      Go to Deferring a Traffic Ticket for deferral information and Defer Request Form.

Return response/request by email, mail or deliver in person:                                                                                                            Email: districtcourt-othello@co.adams.wa.us                                                                                                                      Address: Othello District Court, 425 E Main, Ste 400, Othello, WA 99344

NOTE- If your infraction ticket is lost, a request can be received in writing. Please include your full name, mailing address, signature, and infraction ticket number. Call the court if you do not have your infraction ticket number.

Payments:
  • Debit/Credit
    • call 1-800-689-2478
    • www.officialpayments.com
      • select local payments
      • Washington
      • Adams County District Court Othello
      • Citation payment and continue as guest
      • Infraction # is the Citation # for payment information
  • Mail check or money order, in U.S. funds to: (DO NOT SEND CASH)
                                       Othello District Court                                                               
                                       425 E Main, Ste 400

                                       Othello, WA 99344

Checks or money orders must be made out to Othello District Court or ODC                                                                                  And be sure to include the infraction # in the memo line.

Courts Response to Infraction ticket responses/request*

  • A Mitigated or Contested Hearing Packet is emailed/mailed to the requestor for review and follow up response by the date on the notice.
           A notice with a court date is sent and the following options:
    • Submit a written statement by email/mail for the Judge to review and waive the right to appear. A written statement form will be provided.
      • The Judge’s decision will be emailed/mailed after review of the written statement.
    • Appear in person to the requested hearing date.
      • The decision will be made in the courtroom on the record.
    • Request a deferral.
      • A deferred packet is mailed to qualified requestor
    • Request a payment plan or pay ticket balance and waive the right to appear.
      • Payment plans included a one-time administrative fee of $10.00 that is assessed and added to the total due. The court will send a letter with your payment amount, due date and how to pay and a payment agreement for your signature to return to the court by email/mail.
      • Paid infraction traffic tickets will be closed and go on your driving record.

  • A Deferral Packet is emailed/mailed to qualified requestor
    • A notice with a court date is sent and includes the Deferral Order and cost to defer. The requestor must return the signed Deferred Order to the court and pay prior to the court date on the notice for entry of deferred.      
  • A Payment Plan or Paid tickets.
    • Payment plans included a one-time administrative fee of $10.00 that is assessed and added to the total due. The court will send a letter with your payment amount, due date and how to pay and a payment agreement for your signature to return to the court by email/mail.
    • Paid infraction traffic tickets will be closed and go on your driving record.


*If you do not respond – the court will find that you committed the infraction and the determination will be final unless contested; your penalty may be increased; failure to pay or failure to enter into a payment plan may result in a referral of your case to a collection agency, including garnishment of your wages and assets; AND if traffic you may lose your driver’s license/privilege, non-traffic it is a crime and will be treated accordingly and parking DOL may refuse to renew your vehicle registration, until any penalties imposed have been satisfied. NSF checks will be treated as a failure to respond. IRLJ 2.4