City of Spokane v. Ward

By statute, no costs or attorney fees are awarded in a traffic infraction case. RCW 46.63.151. By court rule, however, substantially prevailing parties on appeal from a court of limited jurisdiction are entitled to costs. RALJ 9.3. Robert Ward successfully appealed a district court finding that he committed a traffic infraction. The superior court judge awarded Mr. Ward costs expended on the appeal pursuant to the court rule. On appeal of this judgment, the city of Spokane (City) contends the statutory prohibition against the awarding of costs supersedes the court rule. Because we conclude…