The Associated Press
YAKIMA — 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,” District Judge Dirk Marler said 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 has sent postcards to tell defendants whether a request was accepted or denied.
Now, the county is going electronic. Motorists can get their responses either through traditional mail or via the Internet.