Except as otherwise specifically provided by state law or this code, any person, firm, corporation or organization violating any of the provisions or failing to comply with any of the requirements of this code or any city ordinance, including, but not limited to, any violation of the provisions of titles 9, 10, 11 and 12 of this code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable for each offense by:
A. A fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00); or
B. A sentence not exceeding six (6) months' imprisonment in the Fresno County jail; or
C. Both subsections A and B of this section.
Any change in the state law for misdemeanor penalties shall automatically apply to the punishment set forth in this section. For good cause shown, and in accordance with the provisions of law, the city attorney may elect alternatively to prosecute any such offense as an infraction. Except as otherwise provided by law, all provisions of law or ordinance relating to misdemeanors shall apply to any such infraction.
Notwithstanding any provision of this code, when a person under the age of eighteen (18) years is charged with a violation of this code and a peace officer issues to that minor a notice to appear, the charge shall be deemed an infraction unless the minor requests that a petition be filed under Welfare and Institutions Code section 601 or 602. The amount of the fine imposed in such case shall be set by the court. (Ord. 97-01, 2-25-1997)