RiverLiver,

The first year those access stickers came out was confusing to say the least. Not just in lack of clear instruction but with stickers that faded to illegibility and the question of the legality of forcing one to put stickers on the rear window of their vehicle where visibility might be obstructed. Thankfully the access sticker problems have been fairly well resolved this season.

That is a sad story and not the first horror story to come out of Grays Harbor court system. You might have won in a higher court on appeal or with a jury trial but I'll admit that $450.00 is enough expense to prove a point.

I have not researched the full breadth of application of Senate Bill 5029, should it pass, but should point out that decriminalization of these RCW's has both positive and negative effects.

Violations as infractions carry a maximum penalty of $500 as opposed to a maximum penalty of $1000 and 90 days jail time for a misdemeanor. Every person charged with the commission of a crime shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by competent evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. Not so with an infraction where a preponderance of evidence is enough. A trial by jury is not an option for an infraction and the appeals procedure is also streamlined.

And yes, I agree that much of this is about money and counties like Grays Harbor should love the simplicity of collecting on infractions.