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Court dismisses obscured-plate citation after defendant supplied photo; judge referenced RCW cited in affidavit
Summary
A Lake Forest Park obscured-license-plate citation was dismissed July 16 after the defendant provided a photograph showing the plate legible; the officer's affidavit referenced a statute noted in court paperwork.
A citation for an obscured rear license plate was dismissed by the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court on July 16 after the defendant provided a photograph to the court showing the plate was legible.
The defendant, who identified himself as a rideshare driver and said he had purchased a dark-tinted plate cover to deter theft, initially asked how to submit a photo. The court provided the municipal court email address and the defendant forwarded a photo. After reviewing the image, the judge said the plate number was clear and dismissed the citation. During the hearing the court referenced the statute cited in the officer’s report; the transcript records the officer’s citation notation as “RCW 46 16 8 200.” The court advised the defendant about the proper administrative route and said the packet normally includes a form and instructions for contesting or resolving citations.
Why it matters: Obscured‑plate citations are generally issued when an officer cannot read a plate number from a traffic stop or camera image. The judge explained that if the plate is visible and the defendant provides supporting evidence, the court may dismiss the citation.
Ending: The defendant was told the case would be dismissed and that mailed paperwork related to the case would follow as appropriate.
