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Judge reduces speeding charge, mitigates HOV fine; payment set for Aug. 20
Summary
Judge Jennifer Branch approved an amendment reducing a 16-over speeding citation to 10-over and reduced an HOV lane fine to $150, setting a total due of $300 and a payment deadline of Aug. 20, 2026.
Judge Jennifer Branch accepted an amendment and mitigation agreement in a speeding and HOV-lane enforcement matter during the Lake Forest Park Municipal Court afternoon calendar on June 22, 2026.
The city asked the court to amend a speeding citation that originally reflected 16 miles per hour over the posted limit to a 10-over offense in exchange for a committed plea. The court adopted the bail-schedule amount of $150 for the amended speeding violation. The judge also mitigated the HOV-lane fine to $150, citing the defendant’s prior HOV violations in explaining why she would not reduce the fine further.
The court set the total amount due at $300 and extended the payment date to Aug. 20, 2026. Judge Branch noted the defendant could be placed on a time-payment plan if needed.
"I'm not going below that because I see that he has several prior HOV violations," Judge Branch said when explaining the decision to maintain the HOV mitigation at $150.
Clerical staff were directed to record the amended disposition, notify the defendant, and process payment arrangements under the court's standard procedures. The matter was resolved without a contested hearing.
