(A) Any police officer may issue a citation instead of making an arrest for any violation of the state vehicle laws or this traffic code where the offense is a misdemeanor committed in his presence and there are reasonable grounds to believe that the person cited will appear to answer the charge. The officer shall take the name, address, and operator’s license number of the alleged violator in writing on a form provided by the city. The citation shall provide that the defendant shall appear to answer to the charge against him at a place and time designated therein.
(B) If the defendant fails to appear in response to the citation, or if there is reasonable ground to believe that he will not appear, a complaint may be made before the District Judge and a warrant shall be issued.
Statutory reference:
Citation for misdemeanor, see KRS 431.015