Fight a Seattle parking ticket for a sold vehicle or identity theft
You were not the person responsible for the vehicle at the time of the violation because you had sold the vehicle - and filed a Report of Sale - before the ticket was issued, or you are the victim of identity theft or fraudulent registration.
the statement
Copy, customize, submit.
To: Seattle Municipal Court Re: Citation No. [CITATION NUMBER] Plate: [PLATE] ([STATE]) Date/Time: [DATE], [TIME] Location cited: [LOCATION] I deny committing this infraction and request that it be dismissed following a contested hearing. I was not responsible for the vehicle bearing plate [PLATE] on [DATE], the date this citation was issued. [SELECT AND COMPLETE THE APPLICABLE SCENARIO: (a) Sold vehicle — I sold this vehicle and filed a Report of Sale with the Washington Department of Licensing on [SALE/REPORT DATE], before this citation was issued, as shown by the attached Report of Sale (or notarized bill of sale). / (b) Identity theft or fraudulent registration — I did not register this vehicle and did not authorize anyone to register it in my name, as shown by the attached "Information About False Identification Form" and supporting documentation.] Under SMC 11.31.080, proof a vehicle was involved in a parking, standing, or stopping violation, together with proof of registered ownership, creates only a rebuttable presumption under RCW 46.63.140 that the registered owner was the person who parked it — it is not conclusive. [FOR SOLD VEHICLES:] Under RCW 46.12.655, a complete Report of Sale releases the seller from responsibility for citations issued after the sale date. I ask that this presumption be rebutted and this violation be dismissed on that basis. Attached: [a filed Washington DOL Report of Sale, or notarized bill of sale, showing a sale date before this citation's issue date; OR the completed "Information About False Identification Form" and supporting documentation for identity theft]. Respectfully, [YOUR NAME] [ADDRESS] [PHONE] [EMAIL]
This template is for informational use only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Square-bracketed placeholders must be replaced with your specific facts. Rules and deadlines can change; if your situation is urgent, complicated, or high-stakes, email info@imfrustrated.org for a free conversation with a volunteer attorney before you send it.
how to submit it
A few things before you send.
- 1Note your citation number and confirm the violation code, date, time, and location printed on the Notice of Infraction.
- 2Decide which response you want: a mitigation hearing (you agree the infraction occurred but want to explain circumstances that might reduce the penalty — the Magistrate's decision is final, no appeal) or a contested hearing (you deny committing the infraction, or deny responsibility) — check the corresponding box on the ticket.
- 3Request the hearing within 30 days of the ticket date (33 days if the notice was mailed to you), using any of three methods: the online Hearing Request Form (generates an email to the court), mailing or delivering the ticket's response portion to Seattle Municipal Court, or calling (206) 684-5600 with your citation number.
- 4If you requested a contested hearing, the court will first schedule a pre-hearing settlement conference (you may waive it via the waiver form sent with the conference notice and go straight to the contested hearing/trial).
- 5Gather your evidence (photos, receipts, payment records, sale documents, etc.) and submit it before the hearing by uploading to the Seattle Municipal Court Public Portal or emailing CourtCalendar.SMC@seattle.gov; written-statement hearings require the statement to arrive at least 3 days before the hearing date.
- 6Attend the hearing (in person, by phone, by video conference, or by written statement if offered for your courtroom). In a contested hearing the City must prove the infraction by a preponderance of the evidence; you may present evidence, subpoena witnesses (including the citing officer), and cross-examine.
- 7Receive the written decision. A contested-hearing decision may be appealed to King County Superior Court; mitigation-hearing decisions and written-statement decisions are final with no appeal.
bring receipts
Attach this evidence.
- ✓Sold vehicle: a filed Washington DOL Report of Sale showing a sale date before the ticket's issue date, or (if no Report of Sale was filed) a notarized bill of sale faxed to the court at (206) 684-8726
- ✓Identity theft: the completed 'Information About False Identification Form' and supporting documentation submitted through the Seattle City Attorney's identity-theft process
- ✓For a judgment already entered based on mistaken identity: a completed 'Declaration: Vacate Judgment Due to Mistaken Identity' filed under IRLJ 6.7
what Seattle rules say
The rule this rests on.
SMC 11.31.080 - Owner responsible for stopping, standing, parking, or alarm violation (rebuttable presumption)
Under RCW 46.63.140 (applied to SMC parking/standing/stopping violations via SMC 11.31.080), proof the vehicle was involved plus proof of registered ownership creates only a rebuttable prima facie presumption that the registered owner was the person who parked it - it is not conclusive. Filing a complete Report of Sale when you sell a vehicle releases you from responsibility for tickets issued after the sale date (RCW 46.12.655), but you remain the registered owner - and presumptively responsible - until the buyer actually titles and registers the vehicle. For a sold-vehicle dispute, contact the court at (206) 684-5600 or email SMC_SoldVehicles@seattle.gov with the plate number/state and ticket number(s); for identity theft, contact the Seattle City Attorney's Criminal Division at (206) 684-7757, and if a judgment already exists use the identity-theft vacate packet under IRLJ 6.7.
if this doesn’t work
Your next move.
If you are found to have committed the infraction following a contested hearing, you may appeal the decision to King County Superior Court. Note that a mitigation-hearing decision, or a decision reached through a written-statement-in-lieu-of-appearing hearing rather than a contested hearing, is final with no right of appeal.
questions people ask
FAQ.
I sold the car months ago but never filed a Report of Sale — does that matter?
Yes. You remain the registered owner — and presumptively responsible under SMC 11.31.080/RCW 46.63.140 — until the buyer actually titles and registers the vehicle, or until you file a complete Report of Sale. File one now if you haven't, and contact the court at SMC_SoldVehicles@seattle.gov with your plate and ticket number(s).
Is the registered-owner presumption automatically conclusive?
No. RCW 46.63.140 makes it only a rebuttable prima facie presumption. Proof you sold the vehicle before the citation date, or that you never registered it and didn't authorize its registration, can rebut it.
What if a judgment has already been entered against me for a ticket that isn't mine?
If the judgment is based on mistaken identity, you can file a 'Declaration: Vacate Judgment Due to Mistaken Identity' under IRLJ 6.7 rather than contesting a still-open citation.
Nervous about sending it yourself?
we’ll read it over with you.
Email the situation and a volunteer attorney will respond. No commitment, no invoice, no judgment — just an honest second pair of eyes from someone who actually understands the law.
info@imfrustrated.org