New Law Enforcement Tool

Over the past several years the legislature, in balancing their budget, starting adding surcharges to traffic tickets as a way of generating revenues. What used to be a $80 traffic ticket quickly increased to perhaps $125. As the costs for tickets increased so too were the complaints to police officers, county attorneys and even judges. In addressing hardships the courts sometimes reduced the ticket fine amount. When a reduction was made the state share of the fine couldn't be reduced but the local share could and did.

Over time the inequity of who was doing the work of enforcement and who was collecting the fine revenue became too much for some jurisdictions to tolerate. They created an Administrative Citation structure where fine amounts for minor offenses were drastically reduced and the funds collected would be collected by the jurisdiction doing the work. This structure did more than just create a revenue source as it gives police officers another tool to use towards adjusting behavior of those making minor violations. Rather than a ticket with a large price tag or a warning there is something in between. A modest financial penalty becomes an option.

The program is however voluntary. A person who is subject to a ticket has the option of a regular ticket or an Administration Citation. In assuming the Administrative Citation the person admits to the offense and pays the penalty. In doing so the citation is exempt from Minnesota driving records and is only recorded with the local police. The penalty must be paid within 7 days or a state ticket will be mailed out to you. If you feel the ticket is unwarranted or wish to contest it, a state ticket will be issued and your due process rights will be addressed in the court system just as it has been done in the past.

The City of Becker has joined a number of law enforcement agencies throughout the state in establishing this system of citations. There are some individuals who contend cities do not have the authority to take this approach while there are others who feel in absence of a law restricting its use it is acceptable. Time may tell if and when the legislature weighs in on this issue but for now the city has another tool to use in curbing minor offenses within the city.