What is a school zone violation?
A school zone violation occurs when a vehicle is travelling 26 miles per hour or faster when the yellow beacon is flashing.
Where are the school speed zone cameras located?
Einstein Elementary - 18025 NE 116th St
East and westbound
How does the school zone camera work?
- The camera is only activated in conjunction with the flashing yellow beacon light on the school zone sign.
- The system activates when the sensor detects a vehicle travelling 26 mph or faster.
- The license plate image is a close-up from one of the images captured.
- The camera photographs the car, the plate and a video is recorded of the violation.
- The speed of the car is placed on the citation.
- Data, including the time, date and duration of the yellow and red lights is also recorded.
I may have been photographed by a camera; can I call to verify whether or not I will be receiving a notice of infraction?
No. As mentioned above, there are several steps in the review process. If you are found to be in violation of running the red light or speeding in a school zone at the locations that have cameras, then you will receive a notice in the mail and have plenty of time to weigh your options and decide how to resolve the citation. It is important to remember that just because a camera flashes doesn’t automatically mean there was a violation.
What happens to the revenue for this program?
Revenue generated from the photo enforcement program will be used to pay for the program. The City requires that any revenue generated in excess of the program costs can be spent only on traffic safety programs and traffic safety capital improvements, and does not allow this revenue to be used for non-traffic safety purposes. Traffic safety programs that can be implemented with additional revenue include: implementing crosswalks where none exist, painting crosswalks or lines at intersections to be more visible, installing flashing yellow beacons at school zones that indicate a school speed zone limit is in effect, and installing additional street lighting.
Why did I receive this Notice of Infraction?
The vehicle registered to you was captured on camera as committing a violation. As the registered owner, the Notice of Infraction was sent to your address.
What if I was not the driver/owner of the vehicle at the time of the violation?
Per the City of Redmond, you may request a hearing and submit an Affidavit of Non-Responsibility by mail. The Affidavit must be filled out accurately and in its entirety. You may obtain this form either by downloading and printing the form from www.violationinfo.com or visiting the court at Northeast District Court, 8601 160th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. The phone number is 206-205-9200. Bring the completed form to the court in person on your hearing date.
What is the review process?
Redmond Police Department reviews all possible violations. Using a violation processing application, officers watch the video of a vehicle running a red light or speeding in a school zone. They also view the photos showing the light illuminated red both before and after the vehicle enters the intersection. For the school zone camera, the speed limit (20 mph) and the actual speed of the vehicle on the citation. If an officer determines the vehicle ran the red light or was speeding in the school zone, the officer verifies the license plate matches the vehicle and all information is correct before issuing the Notice of Infraction.
How much is the fine?
The fine is $124 for each offense.
How much time do I have to pay my Notice of Infraction?
You must pay the civil penalty on or before the due date on your Notice of Infraction. The due date for payment is located on the top and bottom right of your notice.
What are my options?
Pay online --
Visit the King County District Court website at www.kingcounty.gov/courts/DistrictCourt/citationsortickets.aspx
Pay by phone - Call the King County District Court at 1-877-816-3530. You must have the exact 9 digit notice number including any letters at the beginning of the number. A processing fee of $5.75 will be added to each payment although multiple notices may be paid at one time incurring only one processing fee.
Pay by mail - Mail your check or money order, payable to King County District Court, in the enclosed envelope along with the coupon printed at the bottom of the notice. Write the Notice of Infraction number and your license plate number on your check or money order. Do not mail cash.
The mailing address is King County District Court, Redmond Photo Enforcement Program, 516 3rd Avenue, Suite 340C, Seattle, WA 98014.
Pay in person - Drop off your payment in person, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm at the King County District Court office nearest you. Payment can be made in cash, check, Visa/debit. In Redmond the court is Northeast District Court, 8601 160th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052. The phone number is 206-205-9200.
Request a hearing
If you desire a hearing, you must request one in writing. A Hearing Request form is included with the Notice of Infraction. The form can also be found at www.violationinfo.com or by calling the court at 206-205-9200. Complete the form and mail it to the Violation Processing Center, PO Box 59995, Phoenix, AZ 85076-9995. Hearing options include a mitigation hearing in person or a mitigation hearing by mail to explain the circumstances or a contested hearing in person to contest the violation.
Submit an Affidavit of Non-Responsibility
You may submit an Affidavit of Non-Responsibility. Submit it if your vehicle was sold or stolen. If the vehicle was in the care, custody or control of another person, the affidavit must be notarized. You may obtain an Affidavit of Non-Responsibility by visiting www.violationinfo.com or by visiting the court in person. This affidavit must be filled out accurately and in its entirety and presented to the court at the time of your hearing.
What types of hearings are there?
To request a hearing, you must fill out the Hearing Request form included in your Notice of Fraction. The hearing options include the following:
Mitigation hearing in person
By requesting a mitigation hearing in person, you agree to appear at your scheduled hearing and will be deemed to have committed the violation. You may not subpoena witnesses for this hearing. You would request a mitigation hearing if you agree that you have committed the violation but believe the circumstances may be such that the court could reduce or waive the penalty.
Mitigation hearing by mail
You will not be required to appear in court. Instead, you must write a Defendant's Statement and Declaration and mail it with the coupon to the address shown on the coupon. The court will review your declaration, the photos/video of the incident and the police officer's sworn statement and render a decision.
Hearing to contest the infraction
At a contested hearing the City has the burden of proving by a preponderance of evidence that the violation was committed. You may subpoena witnesses including the officer who issued the Notice of Infraction.
Where do I attend my hearing?
If you request mitigation or appeal the infraction, Northeast District Court (NEDC) will send you a notice of hearing with the date and time. All hearings are at NEDC, 8601 160th Avenue NE, Redmond, WA 98052.
Can someone other than me attend the hearing?
Only you may appear at an adjudication hearing.
Can I bring a lawyer to the hearing with me?
Yes.
What happens if I ignore the Notice of Infraction?
Failure to pay the civil penalty by the due date on the Notice of Infraction results in the imposition of a late-payment fee of $25 and car tabs cannot be renewed until all fees have been paid. If the second notice remains unpaid, collections and entry of a judgment against you may proceed.
Where can I go to view my images and video?
To view video and images, logon to www.violationinfo.com and enter the Notice number and the PIN number located at the top right of your Notice of Infraction. If you do not have Internet access, you may visit any public library for Internet access to view your images.
Will this impact my driving record?
No. This is a civil infraction that is treated as a parking violation. It is not part of a person's driving record but it is reported to the Washington State Department of Motor Vehicles. It is processed as a non-moving civil infraction according to RCW 46.16.216. Since it is considered a civil infraction, it is not reported to insurance agencies, similar to a parking ticket.
Will the safety cameras take a picture of the vehicle occupants?
No. A violation is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; it is not a criminal violation. Similar to a parking ticket, there is no need to identify the driver or any vehicle occupants.
What if I was issued a citation from an officer for the same offense?
The citation issued by a police officer takes precedence over the Notice of Infraction. You must request an adjudication hearing and bring both the citation and the Notice of Infraction with you to the hearing. The adjudication hearing officer will take the appropriate actions.
What is the refund policy?
A refund check may be issued under the following circumstances:
- Duplicate and/or overpayment of a Notice of Infraction
- Overpayment of the Notice of Infraction as a result of a hearing
- If you are entitled to a refund, please submit your request on the Safety Camera Refund Form and send to the address specified at the top of the form.
My payment has already been sent; will I still be charged late fees?
Late fees will NOT be assessed if your payment is postmarked on or before the due date located on the front of your Notice of Infraction.
I paid the violation; why did I receive another Notice?
The Notice you just received could be for additional violations or it could be a second notice which is now a Delinquent Notice. If it is a Delinquent Notice, chances are that your payment and the Notice crossed in the mail. It can take as many as 10 business days to show in the system once it has reached our office. Call 1-866-790-4111 to confirm that your payment was received.
Do I have to pay my fine the day of the hearing?
You must pay the full fine amount within 60 days of a liable judgment.
What happens if I do not pay the Notice of Infraction?
The City of Redmond will begin collections of the civil penalty through a collections agency.
I do not believe I committed this violation and want to discuss my case with someone.
You must request a hearing in writing on or before the due date listed on the top and bottom right of your notice in order to request a review of your Notice of Infraction before a hearing officer as detailed in the City of Redmond Ordinance.
What company provides the safety camera program in Redmond?
The City of Redmond has contracted with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) which provides red-light and speed camera enforcement programs for more than 200 communities across North America. More information about ATS is available at www.atsol.com or www.RedLightCamera.com .
If I have other questions not answered on this page, who should I call?
You may contact the Redmond Police Department:
Commander Shari Shovlin; sshovlin@redmond.gov; 425-556-2564
Lieutenant Nick Almquist; nalmquist@redmond.gov; 425-556-2570