(a) An offense under this article is punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $2,000.
(1) Each day that any violation continues constitutes a separate offense.
(2) Each tire transported in violation of this article constitutes a separate offense.
(b) A culpable mental state is not required for the commission of an offense under this article.
(c) If a vehicle that has previously been impounded and redeemed under this article is again impounded as the result of a subsequent violation of this article, the director is authorized to retain the vehicle as evidence in the criminal proceeding for that violation until the termination of the criminal case in municipal court. If, upon termination of the criminal case, the defendant is found not guilty of the violation, the defendant may redeem the vehicle without paying any storage fees. If the defendant is assessed a fine for the violation, the municipal court judge may, in lieu of requiring payment of the fine assessed and any costs, declare the vehicle is a criminal instrument, declare the vehicle is forfeited to the city, and order the sale of the impounded vehicle, with the proceeds of the sale to be used to satisfy any outstanding municipal court judgment. Any amount obtained in the sale of the vehicle that is in excess of the amount of the fine assessed and any costs will be returned to the defendant. (Ord. Nos. 25635; 32334)