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Hi I have a question regarding Washington State seat belt law RCW 46.61.688,
Anonymous5 views5 answers
Where did you receive the citation? Most judges from my experience will dismiss a seat belt ticket if you have a doctor's note excusing you from wearing one due to a physical condition. A chiropractor is a doctor, although not an MD. Although the police officer did not take your excuse seriously, a judge probably will. I would request a contested hearing, bring the note from your chiropractor, and print out the description from BLS just in case. You can probably get a continuance to bring in more evidence if the judge wants more than that. But I think what you have will suffice in court. Good luck.
Roberto Alexandro Lim YranelaSpeeding / Traffic Ticket LawyerBellevue, WA ·
Where did you receive the citation? Most judges from my experience will dismiss a seat belt ticket if you have a doctor's note excusing you from wearing one due to a physical condition. A chiropractor is a doctor, although not an MD. Although the police officer did not take your excuse seriously, a judge probably will. I would request a contested hearing, bring the note from your chiropractor, and print out the description from BLS just in case. You can probably get a continuance to bring in more evidence if the judge wants more than that. But I think what you have will suffice in court. Good luck.
When a law states a "licensed physician" it means the words used. However, I suggest that if you want to fight the ticket, hire an experienced traffic attorney who may still be able to make use of the chiropractor's written verification. Additionally, you should speak to your physician about providing written verification to avoid any repeat problems.
"Physician" is a defined and regulated profession in WA. Chapter 18.71 RCW (PHYSICIANS) sets out who can be a physician.
Physicians are medical doctors. Chiropractors are not medical doctors. There are persons who are licensed as both medical doctors and chiropractors.
If you want a valid exemption from using seat belts, you can get the verification from a licensed medical doctor. Some judges may decide to strictly go by the statutes and not accept that verification from the chiropractor.
You didn't get a ticket so what's the problem? is this some rhetorical question as to whether or not a chiropractor qualifies as a physician? Take a look at the Washington Administrative code on this issue. It is likely true that they are not physicians as defined by the statute
"Are chiropractors 'doctors'? Yes and No. They are doctors similar to non-medical 'doctors' in other allied health care professions like optometry, podiatry, dentistry and psychology." http://www.diffen.com/difference/Chiropractor_vs_Doctor
It appears to me that a chiropractor is not a physician, but some physicians may be chiropractors. You could always contact your chiropractor and ask him or her whether he or she is a physician. Even if not a physician, I doubt a lot of judges will draw such a hard-line distinction as the trooper did. Ask for a contested hearing and explain the circumstances.
