Yakima County, Washington offers drivers Internet court services

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) _ Motorists hoping to avoid long hours in court waiting to trim the cost of their traffic tickets now can e-mail their excuses to the judge. <br><br>Yakima County is offering the service

Monday, September 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) _ Motorists hoping to avoid long hours in court waiting to trim the cost of their traffic tickets now can e-mail their excuses to the judge.

Yakima County is offering the service to ease overcrowding in the courts.

``It allows citizens to take care of their tickets when it's convenient for them,'' said District Judge Dirk Marler when the program was announced last week.

County officials first came up with the idea of allowing ticketed drivers the option of mailing in their excuses and explanations.

It was an attempt at easing the load of nearly 2,500 court proceedings involving people who want their traffic fines reduced or thrown out _ and people loved it.

Nearly half of the court proceedings for traffic tickets were handled this month through the mail.

``Most of the letters start out with 'Thank you for letting me respond this way,''' said Judge Michael McCarthy, who, using a postcard, would tell the defendant whether a request was accepted or denied.

Now, the county is going electronic. Motorists can get their responses either through the traditional stamp and send method of ``snail mail'' or the point and click convenience of the Internet.

Many people are eagerly awaiting the e-mail exchanges, including Jaclyn Jaquish of Cheney, who waited with 34 other people on Friday for McCarthy to hear their arguments in person.

``I'm a student at Eastern Washington University,'' Jaquish said. ``I had to drive here and miss an entire day of classes to handle this.''

To argue her case using the new system, Jaquish would instead log on to the Yakima County Web site, where a prepared mitigation form allows drivers to send their best arguments directly to the court.

People who contest their tickets still must appear in court to debate the truth.

But people opting for a mitigation hearing have three choices: show up in court, mail a response or e-mail in their excuse.