(A) Purpose. Administrative offense procedures established pursuant to this section are intended to provide the public and the City of Worthington 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 anytime 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 Worthington 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 which may be imposed, the City of Worthington will seek to collect the costs of the administrative offense procedures as part of a subsequent criminal sentence in the event the party is charged and is adjudicated guilty of the criminal violation.
(B) Administrative offense defined. An administrative offence is a violation of a provision of the city code and is subject to the administrative penalties set forth in the schedule of offenses and penalties referred to in division (H), hereafter.
(C) Notice. Any officer of the City of Worthington Police Department or any other person employed by the city, authorized in writing by the City Administrator, and having authority to enforce this code, shall upon determining that there has been a violation, notify the violator, or in the case of a vehicular violation, attach to the vehicle a notice of the violation. Said notice shall set forth the nature, date and time of the violation, the name of the official issuing the notice, and the amount of the scheduled penalty.
(D) Payment. Once such notice is given, the alleged violator may, within seven days of the time of issuance of the notice, pay the amount set forth on the schedule of penalties for the violation. The penalty may be paid in person or by mail, and payment shall be deemed to be an admission of the violation.
(E) Court appearance request. Any person contesting an administrative offense pursuant to this section may, within seven days of the time of the issuance of the notice, request a court appearance. A person requesting a court appearance will be issued a citation/summons for the violation and a court date will be set. The administrative offense will then be dismissed.
(F) Failure to pay. In the event a party charged with an administrative offense fails to pay the penalty, a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor charge will be brought against the alleged violator in accordance with applicable statutes. If the penalty is paid, no such charge may be brought by the City of Worthington for the same violation.
(G) Disposition of penalties. All penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be paid to the City of Worthington and deposited in the City's General Fund.
(H) Offenses and penalties. Offenses which maybe charged as administrative offenses and the penalties for such offenses may be established by resolution of the City Council from time to time. Copies of such resolution shall be maintained in the Office of the City Administrator.
(B) Administrative offense defined. An administrative offence is a violation of a provision of the city code and is subject to the administrative penalties set forth in the schedule of offenses and penalties referred to in division (H), hereafter.
(C) Notice. Any officer of the City of Worthington Police Department or any other person employed by the city, authorized in writing by the City Administrator, and having authority to enforce this code, shall upon determining that there has been a violation, notify the violator, or in the case of a vehicular violation, attach to the vehicle a notice of the violation. Said notice shall set forth the nature, date and time of the violation, the name of the official issuing the notice, and the amount of the scheduled penalty.
(D) Payment. Once such notice is given, the alleged violator may, within seven days of the time of issuance of the notice, pay the amount set forth on the schedule of penalties for the violation. The penalty may be paid in person or by mail, and payment shall be deemed to be an admission of the violation.
(E) Court appearance request. Any person contesting an administrative offense pursuant to this section may, within seven days of the time of the issuance of the notice, request a court appearance. A person requesting a court appearance will be issued a citation/summons for the violation and a court date will be set. The administrative offense will then be dismissed.
(F) Failure to pay. In the event a party charged with an administrative offense fails to pay the penalty, a misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor charge will be brought against the alleged violator in accordance with applicable statutes. If the penalty is paid, no such charge may be brought by the City of Worthington for the same violation.
(G) Disposition of penalties. All penalties collected pursuant to this section shall be paid to the City of Worthington and deposited in the City's General Fund.
(H) Offenses and penalties. Offenses which maybe charged as administrative offenses and the penalties for such offenses may be established by resolution of the City Council from time to time. Copies of such resolution shall be maintained in the Office of the City Administrator.
(Ord. 949, passed 9-8-03)