Ticket Terminology

Speeding Tickets, Traffic Tickets

Ticket Terminology

Ticket Terminology can be confusing. We are going to try to clear them up for you.

Traffic and Non Traffic Citations

A Traffic Ticket is related to a vehicle.

This might include Speeding, Fail to Obey Traffic Control Device, Fail to Renew Registration, Safety belt and more.

A Non Traffic Ticket that does not involve a vehicle.

This might include Jaywalking, noise violations, or other items.

Ticket Terminology Traffic Tickets? Let us talk about Moving Violation and Non Moving violation.

Moving Violations affect your record and can cause your insurance rates to go up.

How Can You Tell If it is Non Moving or Moving?

There is a list of moving violations and non moving violations on the Washington Administrative Code, also known as the WAC.

WAC 308.104.160 has this list.

This list is not exhaustive and some non moving violations can affect your record.

Moving Violations

According to WAC 308-104-160 the term “moving violation” means any violation of vehicle laws listed in this section that is committed by the driver of a vehicle, while the vehicle is moving.

Non Moving Violations

Non-moving violation include Parking violations, equipment violations or paperwork violations relating to insurance, registration, licensing and inspection.

How do these affect your record?

There are different consequences to you and your record for each violation.

There are several factors to consider when addressing a ticket, do you:

Have a Commercial Drivers License?
Drive for work?
Have an Intermediate License?
What is the specific charge (reason for the ticket)?

A Moving Violation that is reported to the Department of License will appear on your Driving Abstract for 3 years. It may affect your insurance rates and possibly your work.

A Non Moving Violation may be reported to the Department of License. The consequences for a non moving violation are less than for a moving violation and may not affect your car insurance rates. Each insurance company and policy is different.

For example: according to RCW 46.61.688 a person violating the safety belt law will be issued a traffic infraction. If a committed finding is found for the safety belt violation it shall be reported on the driver’s abstract but shall not be available to insurance companies or employers.

There are many ways an experienced traffic attorney can fight your ticket for you.

      
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   Shannon Jackson 
 September 6, 2026
 
 
  He’s like Santa for speeding tickets. Anytime someone says they got a ticket, I always tell them “I got a guy”
  
 
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   Nathan Turner 
 September 6, 2026
 
 
  My son got his first speeding ticket. We called these guys and sent them a photo of the ticket. They took care of everything and got the ticket dismissed. Lucky kid. Hope he learned his lesson...
  
 
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   Kymberly Hoyle 
 September 3, 2026
 
 
  I have gone through Merrill Law 3 times now for speeding violations and expired tabs and they are efficient and super easy to work with every time. Reece is fantastic and communicative. I highly recommend them as they have saved me a lot of money in the end.
  
 
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   Jamie Lee Fada 
 September 3, 2026
 
 
  I have used Merrill Law several times from speeding tickets to HOV violations. Everyone has been dismissed. I can't reccomend them enough.
  
 
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   Laura Taylor 
 August 18, 2026
 
 
  Going to Merrill Law was one of the best decisions I could have made. From start to finish, their team was kind, professional, helpful, and excellent at communicating throughout the process. I truly appreciated their support and would highly recommend Merrill Law to anyone in need of their services.
  
 
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   Xavier Hecker 
 August 17, 2026
 
 
  Second speeding ticket in a row dropped, and I never had to step foot in a court room.
  
 
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   Matthew Matyuk 
 August 15, 2026
 
 
  Great experience, big thanks, ticket dismissal went smoothly.
  
 
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   Jordan Cabral 
 August 14, 2026
 
 
  Huge thank you to Reece Merrill for helping me resolve an issue with the Department of licensing. He was so quick to help me fix what seemed to be an overlook on the DOL’s part. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs legal help big or small.
  
 
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   Alex Nelsen 
 July 28, 2025
 
 
  Reliable, Professional, and Effective Big thanks to Merrill Law for getting my ticket dismissed. I’ve used them before after a friend recommended them, and they’ve made the whole process easy and stress-free every time. It’s a huge relief knowing they’re in your corner, fighting for you. Highly recommend to anyone needing a solid attorney
  
 
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 June 14, 2025
 
 
  Fantastic as always 
  
 
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   Marc Calague 
 November 5, 2024
 
 
  Merrill Law is fantastic Got my infraction dismissed and all I did was call them. Saved my record, my time, and my money.
  
 
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   John Miranda 
 October 24, 2023
 
 
  Great Result.  Dismissed speeding Ticket!! I got a speeding ticket that I presented to Mr Merril.  Very easy to process. Excellent communication.    He called me during the process to l ask my opinion.   He felt there may be a chance that my ticket would not be dismissed and wanted to know if I would be willing to pay a fine, to keep the ticket off of my record.  I agreed and was thankful to be included in the process.  Mr. Merrill went to court, fought for me and WON!  my ticket was dismissed!! Great result.
  
 
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   Brian 
 August 17, 2023
 
 
  The Best Legal Team I will begin by saying the professional and courteous manner in which they (the whole practice) treat people is second to none. Not only have they kept my driving record impeccable, the cost is fair and they can be counted on 100%. I cant say enough how grateful i am to have been recommended to these guys, here i am doing exactly the same i recommend them beyond plain recommendations haha Thank you to all the people in your firm Rick!!
  
 
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   Cecilia Jones 
 June 21, 2023
 
 
  Grateful is an understatement! Quick and concise work on the part of the firm, ensuring clear direction of what documentation needed to be submitted in order to dispute. I was given reassurance that once everything was handled id receive an email of the overall outcome of my case. Im happy to say it was a successful favorable outcome and I can continue working without any additional financial hardship thanks to this firm!
  
 
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   Arteom Lupekha 
 April 14, 2023
 
 
  Excellent Experience Reece and his team worked quite quickly and we’re very responsive. They under promise and over deliver. Excellent experience from 3 traffic violations over a few years. Highly recommend!