Judgment (is Parking Ticket a judgment?)

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Posted by Fred on August 10, 2001 at 09:57:03:

I have an unpaid parking ticket (or two).

It is in Washington State, where I live.

It appears on my credit reports. The Equifax credit report has it under "Collection Agency Account Information" and not in the "Public Information" section. On all the reports, it looks just like another debt. I was told by the Collection Agency that an unpaid parking ticket is considered to be a "judgment", that it will stay on my credit report for 10 years, and that it is "renewable". The debt shows up with "Municipal Court" as the "client".

I am trying to clear up the "wreckage from my past", but I have other debts and I am trying to prioritize who I pay off first.

I am wondering:
1. Is this parking ticket indeed a "judgment"?
2. Are judgments automatically "renewed"?
3. If it is renewed, does that mean I am legally liable for the interest and fees since the original debt (which seems like a lot of interest and fees to me)?