Lake Forest Park municipal court reduces fines, grants deferred finding and issues warnings at Oct. 15 infraction calendar

Lake Forest Park Municipal Court held a remote infraction calendar Oct. 15, 2025, resolving multiple red‑light, speed and equipment citations through reduced penalties, community service agreements and one deferred finding.

The calendar matters — handled by the presiding judge in a remote Zoom session — involved photo‑enforcement and roadway speeding citations, and an equipment/lighting equipment complaint. Many motorists asked for mitigation and the judge frequently reduced monetary penalties or offered alternatives such as community service or a deferred finding for eligible drivers.

In the most consequential action, the court granted a deferred finding to Hayden Cass (case 580731487) for a speeding citation dated Aug. 4. The judge explained the court’s deferred‑finding arrangement and told Cass it requires a clean driving record for six months and a $175 administrative fee. "I will grant the deferred finding," the judge said, and directed the defendant to submit the $175 within 30 days (failure to comply would result in a committed finding and the full fine).

Other mitigation and outcomes included:

- Ahmed Al Duoli (case 250322529), cited for running a red light on Aug. 30, was found to have committed the violation but was given a reduced financial obligation: the judge imposed a $35 penalty and allowed the defendant to perform two hours of unpaid community service as satisfaction. The judge told him, "I will impose $35, but you can do 2 hours of community service to take care of that obligation." The court will close the matter upon receipt of the community‑service form and proof of hours.

- Lehi Lem Badatta (case 250289710) — a red‑light photo citation from Aug. 3 — received a reduced penalty. The judge reduced the amount first to $90 and then, upon learning the defendant is a single parent with part‑time work, further reduced it to $50 and allowed three hours of community service instead of payment; the service must be completed within 30 days.

- Becky Bridal (case 580416948) appeared for mitigation of a speeding ticket (10 mph over). Because Bridal holds a commercial driver’s license, the judge said she did not qualify for deferred findings and reduced the $150 ticket to $100, but allowed a time‑payment plan of $25 per month beginning Nov. 20.

- Michael Petragalo (case 250271296) had a first speeding photo violation (35 mph in a 30 zone). The judge lowered the penalty to $75. The motorist confirmed a PO box address for receiving court paperwork.

- Multiple motorists cited in school‑walk or photo‑enforced zones (including Kevin Engley, case 250273599; Christine Casey/Paul Casey photo matter; Abraha Sarai, case 02/1966; and another motorist identified as "Casey") received reductions to fines ranging from $75 to $85, or instructions on where to find device calibration records online. The judge repeatedly explained that photo enforcement citations do not go on a driving record and that documentation about each speed‑measuring device (radar/camera) is available on the court’s website.

- Michael Lewis (case 580715764) was cited for aftermarket under‑carriage/colored lighting. After discussing the applicable statute (identified in court as RCW 46.37.100) and the limits on permitted lamp colors and locations, the judge dismissed the citation as a warning but cautioned Lewis to disable the lights while driving or risk future enforcement. "I am going to dismiss this as a warning," the judge said, adding that Lewis should take action to avoid repeat citations.

- Elizabeth Dawson (three cases) had three citations from a single evening; the court imposed a $145 penalty on the first detected violation (11 mph over) and dismissed the other two tickets stemming from that same night.

Administrative and procedural outcomes:

- Several cases were continued because defendants or interpreters did not connect or failed to identify themselves by phone; the court ordered continuances and re‑served hearing notices where mail issues were identified.

- One default: the court found a violation committed by default in a case where the notice had been mailed and the defendant did not appear; the judge imposed the stated penalty in that matter.

Why this matters: photo‑enforcement and automated camera citations, deferred findings and alternative compliance options (community service, time payments) affect motorists’ finances, insurance exposure and driving records. The court’s regular use of reduced penalties and deferred findings shows a reliance on mitigation and administrative remedies in low‑level traffic and equipment enforcement cases.

The court closed the calendar after addressing the listed matters and set over several hearings for re‑service or in‑person review when remote connection issues prevented resolution. Court paperwork and invoices will be mailed to motorists with instructions on payment, community‑service forms and, where applicable, deferred‑finding agreements.