(A) Municipal civil infraction citations shall be issued and served by authorized village officials as provided in this chapter and by law.
(B) A municipal civil infraction citation shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) The citation shall be in a form approved by the State Court Administrator;
(2) Citations shall be numbered consecutively;
(3) The original shall constitute a complaint and notice to appear and shall be filed with the District Court. Additional copies shall be distributed pursuant to § 8705 of Public Act 236 of 1961, being M.C.L.A. § 600.8705 (M.S.A. § 27A.8705);
(4) The citation shall be signed by an authorized local official and shall be treated as made under oath;
(5) The citation shall specify the time and place for the violator to appear in court;
(6) The citation shall contain all of the following information:
(a) The name and address of the alleged violator;
(b) The violation charged;
(c) The name, address and phone number where the alleged violator shall appear in court; and
(d) The time at or by which the appearance shall be made.
(7) The citation shall advise the alleged violator of the following alternatives.
(a) The alleged violator may admit responsibility at or by the time set for appearance in court by mail, in person or by representation.
(b) The alleged violator may admit responsibility with explanation. If the alleged violator wishes to admit responsibility “with explanation” in person or by representation, the alleged violator must apply to the court in person, by mail, by telephone or by representation within the time specified for appearance and obtain a scheduled date and time for an appearance.
(c) The alleged violator may deny responsibility. If the alleged violator desires to deny responsibility, the alleged violator must apply to the court in person, by mail, by telephone or by representation within the time specified for appearance and obtain a scheduled date and time to appear for a hearing, unless a hearing date is specified on the citation.
(d) A hearing shall be an informal hearing unless a formal hearing is requested by the alleged violator or the municipality.
(e) At an informal hearing the alleged violator must appear in person before a judge or magistrate without the opportunity of being represented by an attorney.
(f) At a formal hearing, the alleged violator must appear in person before a judge with the opportunity of being represented by an attorney.
(g) A notice that the failure of the alleged violator to appear within the time specified in the citation or at the time scheduled for a hearing or appearance is a misdemeanor and will result in entry of a default judgment against the alleged violator on the municipal civil infraction.
(Ord. 149, passed 10-16-2018)