Administrative offense procedures established pursuant to this chapter are intended to provide the public and the City of Perham with an informal, cost effective and expeditious alternative to traditional criminal charges for violations of certain city code provisions. The procedures are intended to be voluntary on the part of those who have been charged with administrative offenses. At any time prior to the payment of the administrative penalty as is provided for thereafter, the individual may withdraw from participation in the procedures, in which event the city may bring criminal charges in accordance with law. Likewise, the City of Perham in its discretion may choose not to initiate an administrative offense and may bring criminal charges in the first instance. In the event a party participates in the administrative offense procedures but does not pay the monetary penalty before the seven day deadline, the administrative offense agreement becomes null and void and the citation will be forwarded to Otter Tail Court Administration to be processed through the appropriate methods.
(Ord. 228, passed 9-8-03; Am. Ord. 430, passed 4-10-23)