§ 27-50-1212 - Criminal penalties. - Arkansas Statutes

27-50-1212. Criminal penalties.

(a) It shall be unlawful for a person to:

(1) Operate a tow vehicle in violation of this subchapter;

(2) Operate a tow vehicle without obtaining a tow vehicle safety permit as required by the rules of the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board;

(3) Operate a business engaging in nonconsensual towing of vehicles without first obtaining the proper tow business license as required by the rules of the board;

(4) Give false or forged evidence to the board or to any member or an employee thereof for the purpose of obtaining a license or a tow vehicle safety permit;

(5) Use or attempt to use an expired, suspended, or revoked license or tow vehicle safety permit; or

(6) Violate or aid or abet any violation of this subchapter.

(b) The Department of Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, and county and municipal authorities may enforce 27-50-1101 et seq. and 27-50-1201 et seq.

(c) A person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any violation under this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) or to be imprisoned for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days, or both.

(d) The fines imposed and collected under this section shall be remitted as follows:

(1) Fifty percent (50%) to the Administration of Justice Fund Section of the Office of Administrative Services of the Department of Finance and Administration by the tenth day of each month on a form provided by that office for deposit into the Arkansas Towing and Recovery Board treasury fund; and

(2) Fifty percent (50%) to the law enforcement agency issuing the violation.

(e) Each day of an unlawful practice proscribed by this section shall constitute a distinct and separate offense.