IRLJ 1.1: SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF RULES

(a) Scope of Rules. These rules govern the procedure in courts of limited jurisdiction for all cases involving "infractions". Infractions are noncriminal violations of law defined by statute.

(b) Purpose. These rules shall be construed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of every infraction case.

(c) Effect of Other Law. These rules supersede all conflicting rules and statutes covering procedure for infractions unless a rule indicates a statute or rule controls. Provisions of statute or rule not inconsistent with these rules shall remain in effect.

IRLJ 1.2: DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of these rules:

(a) Infraction Case. "Infraction case" means a civil proceeding initiated in a court of limited jurisdiction pursuant to a statute that authorizes offenses to be punished as infractions.

(b) Notice of Infraction. "Notice of infraction" means a document initiating an infraction case when issued and filed pursuant to statute and these rules.

(c) Defendant. "Defendant" means a person cited for an infraction, a registered owner of a vehicle cited for a parking infraction, or the person who responds to the parking infraction or requests a hearing.

(d) Court. "Court" means a court of limited jurisdiction organized pursuant to RCW Title 3, RCW Title 35, or RCW Title 35A.

(e) Judgment. "Judgment" means any final decision in an infraction case, including, but not limited to, a finding entered after a hearing governed by these rules or after payment of a monetary penalty in lieu of a hearing.

(f) Plaintiff. "Plaintiff" means the governmental unit issuing the notice of infraction, including, but not limited to, the state, a county, or a municipality.

(g) Department. "Department" means the Washington State Department of Licensing.

(h) Lawyer. "Lawyer" means any person authorized by Supreme Court rule to practice law.

(i) Statute. "Statute" means any state statute, local or county ordinance, resolution, or regulation, or agency regulation.

(j) Citing Officer. "Citing officer" means a law enforcement officer or other official authorized by law to issue a notice of infraction.

(k) Prosecuting Authority. "Prosecuting authority" includes prosecuting attorneys, city attorneys, corporation counsel, and their deputies and assistants, or such other persons as may be designated by statute.

(l) Judge. "Judge" means any judge of any court of limited jurisdiction and shall include every judicial officer authorized to preside over infraction cases.

(m) Community Restitution. "Community restitution" means compulsory service, without compensation, performed for the benefit of the community by the defendant.

[Adopted effective September 1, 1992; amended effective June 2, 1998; amended effective January 3, 2006.]

IRLJ 1.3: LOCAL COURT RULES

(a) Adoption. Each court may adopt special infraction rules not inconsistent with these general rules.

(b) Format. The numbering system and format of local rules shall conform to these rules.

(c) Filing. Local rules become effective only after they are filed with the Administrator for the Courts in accordance with GR 7.