Section 480.24 - Enforcement of state civil infraction. - Michigan Statutes

MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ACT OF 1963 (EXCERPT)
Act 181 of 1963

480.24 Enforcement of state civil infraction.

Sec. 14.

(1) A state civil infraction shall be enforced in the manner provided for enforcement of state civil infractions in chapter 88 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.8801 to 600.8835.

(2) When a person who is not a resident of this state is stopped for a state civil infraction under this act or any rule under this act, the police officer making the stop shall take security for the nonresident's appearance in court. The person stopped may recognize to the officer or to the court for his or her appearance by leaving with the officer or court a guaranteed appearance certificate or a sum of money not to exceed $100.00.

(3) If a magistrate is available for an immediate appearance, upon demand of the person stopped, the officer immediately shall take the nonresident driver before the magistrate to answer to the state civil infraction alleged. If the nonresident defendant requests a hearing, the hearing shall be scheduled and the defendant shall leave with the court the guaranteed appearance certificate or deposit as security for appearance at the scheduled informal or formal hearing.

(4) The officer receiving a guaranteed appearance certificate or deposit of money shall give a receipt to the person stopped for the guaranteed appearance certificate or the money deposited together with the written citation.

(5) At or before the completion of his or her tour of duty, a police officer taking a certificate or deposit of money shall deliver the certificate or deposit of money and the citation either to the court named in the citation or to the police chief or person authorized by the police chief to receive certificates or deposits. The police chief or person authorized by the police chief shall deposit the certificate or the money deposited and the citation with the court. Failure to deliver the money deposited shall be embezzlement of public money.

(6) If the person who posts a certificate or deposit fails to appear as required in the citation or fails to appear for a scheduled informal or formal hearing, the court having jurisdiction and venue over the civil infraction shall enter a default judgment against the person, and the guaranteed appearance certificate or money deposited shall be forfeited and applied to any civil fine or costs ordered.

(7) For purposes of this section, "guaranteed appearance certificate" means a card or certificate containing a printed statement that a surety company authorized to do business in this state guarantees the appearance of the person whose signature appears on the card or certificate and that the company, if the person fails to appear in court at the time of a scheduled informal or formal hearing or to pay any fine or costs imposed, will pay any fine, costs, or bond forfeiture imposed on the person in a total amount not to exceed $200.00.

(8) As used in this act, "state civil infraction" means that term as defined in section 113(1)(a) of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.113.

History: Add. 2005, Act 177, Imd. Eff. Oct. 20, 2005