Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Washington

Statute of Limitations on Speeding Ticket Conviction

I live in CA and in October 1995 while traveling, I received a Speeding Ticket in WA. I fought the ticket via mail and was found guilty.

Years ago, the Court and then their collection agency contacted me via mail demanding payment. This item has not been reported to CRA�s nor has the conviction been reported to the California DMV.

Yesterday, I received a phone call from a different collection agency demanding payment. I told them I did not know what they were talking about and for them to send me information on their claim. I explained that if I really owed this money, I would pay it.

Is the fine for a speeding ticket conviction automatically considered a Judgment?

Is the Statute of Limitations for Judgments in WA 10 years?

If the answers to the previous two questions are yes, this credit collector may report me to the CRA's. If they do, how long can this item stay on my credit record?

How can I find out if there is a warrant for my arrest in WA? Can this kind of Warrant be enforced in California?

I would agree to pay the fine if I could be assured that they (The Court and the Collection Agency) would not report this to the CRA's. How can I be assured?

Thanks for your help.


Asked on 9/13/03, 11:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Joseph Richardson Borton Petrini LLP

Re: Statute of Limitations on Speeding Ticket Conviction

Frankly, this sounds like something you should have dealt with a long time ago. If you're found guilty on a ticket, it makes no sense not to pay it. You may try to "negotiate" not having it on your credit report, but it may be out of the collection agency's hands. And once it's on your report, it stays for quite some time. Don't know what the law is in Washington re: judgments, but you need to pay this thing and move on.

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Answered on 9/16/03, 1:58 am


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