Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

3 yo Juvenile Warrant for Traffic

My husband is mentoring a young man who is 19 going on 20. When he was 17, he was pulled over in Federal Way for going 37 in a 35 mph zone. He had only a learner's permit and so was cited for ''driving without a valid operator's permit''. At the time, he was in the car with his much younger cousins, returning from a hospital vist to his mother and they were, unfortunately, all black in a predominately white neighborhood. The original ticket was approximately $650. His mother was going to pay the fine, but due to circumstances, namely her time in the hospital, the money ended up going to other things. He believes he has a warrant out for him on this infraction and would like to turn himself in to clear his record. However, we asked that he wait until we could research this as it seems hard for a young man starting out to spend a month in jail for driving 37 in a 35 mph zone 3 years ago, thus likely losing his job. Can someone advise us as to what the most beneficial course would be? Money is an issue for both us and him. Thank you.


Asked on 12/08/08, 5:40 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
James J. White, attorney Law Offices of Smith & White, PLLC

Re: 3 yo Juvenile Warrant for Traffic

Contact the public defender agency in the jurisdiction where he got the charge. If it is a jurisdiction I handle (Western Washington) and you do not wish to use the PD then I can probably clear it up for a nominal legal fee. Do not turn yourself in. That is a needless hardship.

At your service,

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Answered on 12/08/08, 11:20 pm


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