For infractions, the back of the ticket lists the options you have for responding to the ticket: (1) payment, (2) request a mitigation hearing, or (3) request a contested hearing. You should put an “x” in the box indicating your response, sign your name, and provide your current mailing address. Your response must be received or post marked at the courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket within 30 days of the violation date.
Payments
Enclose a check or money order made payable to Whatcom County District Court, for the
amount listed on the front of the ticket. We cannot accept checks from Canadian banks. The violation will go onto your driving record if “traffic” is checked
on the front of the ticket. DO NOT SEND CASH IN THE MAIL. NOTE: The check or money order
should be made PAYABLE TO: Whatcom County District Court. Include the infraction ticket
number on your payment. Payment should be SENT TO: Whatcom County District Court, 311
Grand Avenue, Suite 401, Bellingham, WA 98225.
Payments can be made in person at the District Court Clerk’s Office at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 401 (4th
floor), Bellingham, WA 98225. We accept cash, check, money orders and credit/debit cards. We cannot accept checks from Canadian banks.
Use our Online Infraction Tool or fill out the form on the back of the ticket by checking the box indicating
you agree you committed the violation(s) and want a mitigation hearing to explain the circumstances. You
will be sent a court date and you are promising to appear for the hearing. This violation will go onto your
driving record if “traffic” is checked on the front of the ticket (except for traffic camera violations, parking
violations, and deferred findings). The request for a mitigation hearing must be sent to the
courthouse location listed on the front of the ticket.
Check the box indicating you want to contest (challenge) any/all of the violation(s) listed on the ticket. You
will be sent a court date and you are promising to appear for the hearing. You can request witnesses,
including the officer who issued the ticket, to appear at the hearing. You must contact the court at
(360)778-5400 to find out how to request a subpoena for a witness to appear at the hearing. If the
Court finds you committed the violation, the violation will go onto your driving record if “traffic” is checked
on the front of the ticket (except for traffic camera violations, parking violations, and deferred findings).
The request for a contested hearing must be sent to the courthouse location listed on the front of
the ticket.