Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1952 NO. 387 >

A justice of the peace or police judge does not have authority to dismiss or dispose of a traffic citation issued by a traffic officer to an alleged violator of the motor vehicle laws of the state or traffic ordinance of any city or town prior to its deposit in his court, but upon deposit thereof and filing of a complaint in support of said citation, all authority concerning the charge vests in him.