(A) Within ten days after a vehicle is impounded pursuant to this subchapter, the village shall notify the owner of record, by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the date, time and location of a plea hearing that will be conducted, pursuant to this subchapter. The hearing shall be conducted by a hearing officer designated by the Mayor. The owner will appear at a plea hearing and enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If a plea of guilty is entered, the cause will be disposed of at that time. If the owner pleads not guilty, a hearing shall be scheduled and held, unless continued by the hearing officer, no later than 90 days after the vehicle was impounded. All interested persons shall be given a reasonable opportunity to be heard at the hearing. At any time prior to the hearing date, the hearing officer may, at the request of either party, direct witnesses to appear and give testimony at the hearing. The formal rules of evidence will not apply at the hearing and hearsay evidence shall be admissible only if it is the type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs.
(B) If, after the hearing, the hearing officer determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the vehicle was used in connection with a violation set forth in this subchapter, the hearing officer shall enter a written order finding the owner of record of the vehicle civilly liable to the village.
(Ord. 2038, passed 4-21-2011; Ord. 2099, passed 1-3-2013; Ord. 2576, passed 11-5-2020)