[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Carmel 11-30-1983 (Ch. 53A of the 1972 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Shopping center traffic regulations — See Ch. 123.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 147.
For the purpose of assisting the Justice Court of the Town of Carmel (hereinafter referred to as the "Court") in the disposition of certain traffic offenses and infractions, pursuant to the provisions of the General Municipal Law, that Court is hereby authorized to establish a Traffic Violations Bureau for the Town of Carmel.
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall be in charge of such person or persons and shall be open at such hours as the Court may designate.
The Traffic Violations Bureau is authorized to dispose of traffic violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of New York or ordinances, local laws, rules or regulations of the Town of Carmel, provided that such offenses do not constitute the traffic infraction known as "speeding" or a misdemeanor or a felony.
A person who has received a notice charging him with an offense as provided in this chapter may, within the time specified in said notice, answer at the Traffic Violations Bureau to the charges set forth in such notice, either in person or by written power of attorney, by paying the prescribed fine for such an offense and, in writing, waiving a hearing in Court, pleading guilty to the charge and giving a power of attorney to 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 Traffic Violations Bureau shall be deemed complete satisfaction for the violation, and the violator shall be given a receipt which so states.
Any person having been guilty of three or more violations, as provided in § 29-4 herein, within the 12 preceding months shall not be permitted to pay a fine at the Traffic Violations Bureau but must appear in Court at a time specified by the Bureau.
The duties of the Traffic Violations Bureau shall be as follows:
A. 
It shall accept prescribed fines, issue receipts and represent in Court such violators as are permitted to plead guilty in accordance with this chapter and who desire to so plead guilty, waive a court appearance and give a power of attorney.
B. 
It shall keep an easily accessible record of all violations of which each person has been guilty during the preceding 12 months, whether such guilt was established in Court or in the Traffic Violations Bureau.
C. 
If a violator of New York State or local traffic laws, ordinances, rules or regulations does not appear and answer in response to a notice as provided in this chapter, the Traffic Violations Bureau shall send to the owner and/or operator of the motor vehicle to which the notice was affixed a notice warning the owner and/or operator that he will be held responsible for the appearance of the offender and that, in the event that such notice is disregarded for a period of two days, a warrant of arrest may be issued.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
D. 
In the event that any person fails to comply with a notice as provided in this chapter or fails to make an appearance in the Traffic Violations Bureau as provided by this chapter, the Traffic Violations Bureau may secure a warrant for his arrest The Traffic Violations Bureau shall not accept any fines from such person after a warrant of arrest has been issued.
E. 
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall keep records of all notices issued and arrests made for violations of the traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations and of the final disposition or present status of every case of violation of the provisions of the traffic laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. These reports shall be public record.
F. 
The Traffic Violations Bureau shall perform such other or additional duties and keep such other and additional records as shall be prescribed by the Court.
The power of attorney referred to in § 29-4 hereof shall be substantially in the following form:
POWER OF ATTORNEY:
The Undersigned pleads guilty to the charge noted herein and enclosed herewith the sum of $ ________ in cash, check or money order to pay the necessary fine. (Circle the one used.)
I hereby appoint the Clerk of Justice Court as my attorney in fact to appear for me in the said Court, to enter a plea of guilty on my behalf and to pay the above fine to such Court, if acceptable. (Make all checks payable to: Justice Court, Town of Carmel, New York.)
SIGNED
Print Your Name
Address
Nothing contained in this chapter shall authorize the Traffic Violations Bureau 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, ordinance, rule or regulation.
All fines collected, upon a conviction or plea of guilty of any person charged with a violation of any traffic law, ordinance, rule or regulation, as herein provided, shall be paid to the Justice Court of the Town of Carmel.