(A) The Traffic Violations Bureau is hereby established as a division of the Office of the Clerk of the Court, to be administered by the Clerk, or by subordinates designated by the Clerk for that purpose.
(B) Persons who are cited for violation of any of the traffic ordinances of the city, other than second traffic offense within a 12-month period, a driver’s license offense or an offense punishable by a fine of more than $200 may elect to pay a fine in the Traffic Violations Bureau according to the following schedule:
(1) Speeding:
(a) Ten mph or less: $55;
(b) Eleven mph to 15 mph: $65;
(c) Sixteen mph to 20 mph: $75; and
(d) Twenty-one mph or over: $130.
(2) School zone:
(a) Ten mph or less: $65;
(b) Eleven mph to 15 mph: $80;
(c) Sixteen mph to 20 mph: $130; and
(d) Twenty-one mph or over: $200.
(3) Driving under suspension, with driver improvement: $200;
(4) Driving under suspension, with financial responsibility: $200;
(5) Reckless driving: $200;
(6) DUI: $200;
(7) TOB, alcohol: $200;
(8) Attempt to elude: $200;
(9) Driving while impaired: $200;
(10) Transporting loaded firearm: $200;
(11) TOC, beer: $130;
(12) Operating a motor vehicle in a manner not reasonable and proper: $75;
(13) Driving left of center: $100;
(14) Violation of stop sign: $55;
(15) Expired tag, sticker or license: $55;
(16) Failure to carry valid insurance verification: $55;
(17) Altered tag: $200;
(18) Failure of operator or front seat passenger to wear a seat belt: $25;
(19) Failure to yield to emergency vehicles: $130;
(20) No state driver’s license in possession: $55;
(21) Equipment offenses: $55;
(22) Parking violation: $25;
(23) All other bondable traffic violations: $55;
(24) All other bondable non-traffic violations: $200;
(25) Public intoxication: $100;
(26) Firearm violation: $200;
(27) Assault and battery: $200;
(28) Possession of marijuana: $200;
(29) Possession of drug paraphernalia: $200;
(30) Possession of controlled dangerous substance: $200;
(31) Carrying a concealed weapon on or about person: $200;
(32) All offenses that would be a misdemeanor: $200;
(33) All non-traffic ordinance violations: $200;
(34) Any animal control violation: $75; and
(35) Failure to appear: $200.
(C) (1) The Court may adopt further rules to implement this section.
(2) Payment of a fine under this section shall constitute a final determination of the case against the defendant.
(3) If a defendant who has elected to pay a fine under this section fails so to do, prosecution shall proceed under other provisions of this chapter.
(4)
There shall be added to each and every ticket, citizen's complaint, and failure to appear filed in the Newcastle Municipal Court a technology fee of ten dollars and an administrative fee of $20, which shall be paid in every instance except (i) when waived by the Judge or the Municipal Court; (ii) when the Prosecuting City Attorney dismisses a case without costs; or (iii) when the Defendant is found not guilty by the Municipal Court. These fees shall be assessed for the purpose of defraying the cost of purchasing, operating, and maintaining computerized, digital, communications, and other electronic systems necessary for the efficient operation of the Municipal Court and the Newcastle Police Department including its communications section.
(2002 Code, § 39.08) (Ord. 344, passed 10-9-1995; Ord. 806, passed 1-8-2018; Ord. 833, passed 2-11-2019)