For improving the administration of justice
in the Village of Carthage in the disposition of offenses in relation
to traffic violations, the Village Court thereof is hereby authorized
to establish a Traffic Violation Bureau. Any other prior Traffic Violation
Bureau so established in the Village is hereby dissolved, and any
prior authorization is hereby revoked.
The Traffic Violation Bureau shall be in the
charge of the Village Court and such persons as he or she may designate.
The Traffic Violation Bureau shall dispose of
violations of traffic laws, local laws or rules and regulations involving
parking of automobiles for which fixed fines are established by permitting
a person charged with an offense, within the limitations herein stated,
to answer, within a specified time, at the Traffic Violation Bureau,
either in person or by written power of attorney, by paying a prescribed
fine and, in writing, by waiving a hearing in court; or by pleading
guilty to the charge and authorizing the person in charge of the Bureau
to make such a plea and to pay such a fine in court.
Acceptance of the prescribed fine and power
of attorney by the Bureau shall be deemed a complete satisfaction
for the violation, and the violator shall be given a receipt which
so states.
If a person charged with a traffic violation
does not answer as hereinbefore prescribed within 48 hours after the
service of the summons upon him, the Bureau shall cause an appearance
ticket to be issued directing that person to appear before the court
to answer for such summons.
Any person who, within the preceding 12 months,
has been guilty of a number of parking violations in excess of such
maximum number as may be designated by the court, or of three or more
violations other than parking violations, shall not be permitted to
appear and answer to a subsequent violation at the Traffic Violation
Bureau but must appear in court at a time specified by the Bureau.
The Traffic Violation Bureau shall not be authorized
to deprive a person of his right to counsel or to prevent him from
exercising his right to appear in court to answer to, explain or defend
any charge of a violation of any traffic law, local law, rule or regulation.
The Village Justice shall designate the fines
to be paid for offenses, which may be satisfied at the Bureau as hereinbefore
stated, provided that such fines are within the limits established
for penalties for such offenses.
The Traffic Violation Bureau shall keep a record
of all violations of which each person has been guilty, whether such
guilt was established in court or in the Bureau, and also a record
of all fines collected and the disposition thereof.