§ 10.12.040. Disposition and Records of Traffic Citations, Warrants and Complaints.

A.

Copies of Citation. Every police officer, upon issuing a traffic citation to an alleged violator of any provision of the motor vehicle laws of this state or of any traffic ordinance of this city shall make a record of the same in a traffic log provided for that purpose and deposit the original two duplicate copies of the citation with his immediate superior officer, who shall check the citations against the entries in the traffic log and cause the original and the two duplicate copies to be delivered to the municipal court of this city. The original copy of the citation shall be retained by the municipal court for the court's records. One duplicate copy shall be returned to the central record section of the police department indicating final disposition of the case. The second duplicate copy of the citation shall be forwarded to the State Department of Motor Vehicles, indicating the final disposition of the case. The third duplicate copy of the citation shall be retained in the traffic citation book, which book shall be retained by the officer.

B.

Disposition of Citation. Upon the filing of such original citations in the municipal court of this city as aforesaid, such citation may be disposed of only (1) by a determination of the city attorney that there is insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, in which case the city attorney shall make the notation "Nolle Prosequi" and giving the reasons therefor; (2) by trial in said court or by other official action by a judge of said court, including forfeiture of bail; or (3) by payment of a fine to the traffic violations bureau.

C.

Unissued Citations. The chief of police shall require the return to him of each traffic citation and all copies thereof, except that copy required to be retained in the book as provided herein which has been spoiled or upon which any entry has been made and has not been issued to an alleged violator.

D.

Record of Disposition of Citations. The chief of police shall also maintain or cause to be maintained in connection with every traffic citation issued by a member of the police department a record of the disposition of the charge by the municipal court of this city or its traffic violations bureau.

E.

Record of Warrants. The chief of police shall also maintain or cause to be maintained a record of all warrants issued by the municipal court of this city or by any other court on said traffic violation charges and which are delivered to the police department for service, and of the final disposition of all such warrants.

F.

Unlawful Acts. It is unlawful and official misconduct for any member of the police department or other officer or public employee to dispose of, alter or deface a traffic citation or any copy thereof, or the record of the issuance or disposition of any traffic citation, complaint, or warrant, in a manner other than as required in this section.

(Prior Code § 9.60.040)