A.Â
The Municipal Judge who hears traffic cases shall designate by rule,
as provided in the Rules of Procedure for the Municipal Courts, adopted
by the New Mexico Supreme Court, as amended, the specified offenses
under this chapter in respect to which payments of fines may be accepted
by the Traffic Violations Bureau.
B.Â
The Municipal Judge shall specify by rule, as provided in the Rules
of Procedure for the Municipal Courts, adopted by the New Mexico Supreme
Court, as amended, suitable schedules of the amount of the fines for
first, second and subsequent offenses, provided the fines are within
the limits declared by law or ordinance, and shall further specify
what number of offenses shall require appearance before the Judge.
(*)
A.Â
Any person charged with an offense for which payment of a fine may
be made to the Traffic Violations Bureau under the foregoing provisions
shall have the option of:
(1)Â
Paying the fine within the time specified in the notice of arrest
at the Traffic Violations Bureau upon entering a plea of guilty and
upon waiving appearance in court; or
(2)Â
Upon a plea of not guilty shall be entitled to a trial as authorized
by law and depositing any bail required as provided in the Rules of
Procedure for the Municipal Courts, adopted by the New Mexico Supreme
Court, as amended.
B.Â
For the purpose of this chapter, the payment of a fine to the Traffic
Violations Bureau shall be deemed an acknowledgment of conviction
of the alleged offense. The Traffic Violations Bureau, upon accepting
the prescribed fine, shall issue a receipt to the violator acknowledging
payment of the fine. (*)
A.Â
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall accept designated fines, issue
receipts and represent in court violators who are permitted and who
desire to plead guilty, waive appearance and give power of attorney.
B.Â
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall receive and issue receipts for
cash bail from the persons who must or wish to be heard in court,
enter the time for their appearance on the court docket and notify
the arresting officer or the Municipal Attorney or the liaison officer
if any are to be present.
C.Â
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall keep a record of all violations
of this chapter together with a record of a final disposition of all
such alleged offenses:
D.Â
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall study the cases of drivers charged
with frequent or serious violations of traffic ordinances or involved
in frequent traffic accidents or any one serious accident, shall attempt
to discover the reasons therefor and shall take whatever steps are
lawful and reasonable to prevent the recurrence thereof or to have
the licenses of the persons suspended or revoked.
E.Â
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall keep records and submit summarized
monthly reports to the Administrator of all notices issued and arrests
made for violations of the traffic ordinances and of all fines collected
by the Traffic Violations Bureau of the court and of the final disposition
or current status or every case of violations of the provisions of
the said ordinances. The records shall be so maintained as to show
all types of violations and the totals of each.
F.Â
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall follow such procedures as may
be prescribed by the traffic ordinances of this municipality or as
may be required by any law of this state. (*)