(1) A person found to have committed a civil infraction shall be assessed a monetary penalty.
(a) The maximum penalty and the default amount for a class 1 civil infraction shall be two hundred fifty dollars, not including statutory assessments, except for an infraction of state law involving (i) potentially dangerous litter as specified in RCW 70A.200.060(4) or violent video or computer games under RCW 9.91.180, in which case the maximum penalty and default amount is five hundred dollars; or (ii) a person's refusal to submit to a test or tests pursuant to RCW 79A.60.040 and 79A.60.700, in which case the maximum penalty and default amount is one thousand dollars; or (iii) the misrepresentation of service animals under RCW 49.60.214, in which case the maximum penalty and default amount is five hundred dollars;
(b) The maximum penalty and the default amount for a class 2 civil infraction shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars, not including statutory assessments;
(c) The maximum penalty and the default amount for a class 3 civil infraction shall be fifty dollars, not including statutory assessments; and
(d) The maximum penalty and the default amount for a class 4 civil infraction shall be twenty-five dollars, not including statutory assessments.
(2) The supreme court shall prescribe by rule the conditions under which local courts may exercise discretion in assessing fines for civil infractions.
(3) Whenever a monetary penalty is imposed by a court under this chapter it is immediately payable. If the person is unable to pay at that time the court may grant an extension of the period in which the penalty may be paid. If the penalty is not paid on or before the time established for payment, the court may proceed to collect the penalty in the same manner as other civil judgments and may notify the prosecuting authority of the failure to pay.
(4) The court may also order a person found to have committed a civil infraction to make restitution.
[ 2021 c 65 § 8; 2018 c 176 § 5; 2013 c 278 § 3. Prior: 2003 c 365 § 3; 2003 c 337 § 4; 1997 c 159 § 2; 1987 c 456 § 20.]
NOTES:
Explanatory statement—2021 c 65: See note following RCW 53.54.030.
Declaration—Finding—Purpose—Effective date—2018 c 176: See notes following RCW 49.60.215.
Findings—2003 c 365: See note following RCW 9.91.180.
Findings—2003 c 337: See note following RCW 70A.200.060.