After the Hearing
RALJ Appeal Guide
Lost at the district or municipal court level? Here is how to appeal your traffic infraction decision to the superior court under the Rules for Appeal of Decisions of Courts of Limited Jurisdiction (RALJ).
This guide is for informational purposes only — not legal advice. RALJ appeals involve legal arguments and procedural requirements. Consider consulting a licensed Washington attorney before filing an appeal.
30-Day Deadline
Notice of Appeal must be filed within 30 days of the lower court decision
Record Review Only
Superior court reviews for legal error — no new testimony or evidence
Filed in Lower Court
Notice of Appeal is filed with the district/municipal court, not the superior court
The Appeal Process — Step by Step
File a Notice of Appeal with the district or municipal court that issued the decision. This is the document that formally initiates your appeal. Missing this deadline is fatal — the superior court will not have jurisdiction.
- Use the official RALJ Notice of Appeal form (available at wa.gov/courts/forms or the court clerk's office).
- File with the LOWER court (the district or municipal court), not the superior court. The lower court transmits the record to the superior court.
- Pay the filing fee at the time of filing. Fee amounts vary by county — call the clerk's office to confirm the current amount.
- The notice must identify: the party appealing, the court below, the decision being appealed, and the superior court to which the appeal is taken.
- Keep a file-stamped copy of the notice for your records.
The 30-day deadline is jurisdictional. If you miss it, the superior court has no power to hear your appeal, regardless of the merits.
Rule: RALJ 2.1; RALJ 2.2
Common Grounds for Appeal
RALJ appeals succeed when the lower court made a legal error. Here are the most common grounds in traffic infraction cases.