Opinion ID: 1979104
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Standard Language of Tickets Issued by the District in ATE System Cases

Text: Once the ATE System receives information that a vehicle has violated either District speeding or red-yellow light laws, a ticket is issued to the vehicle's owner, complete with the statutorily-required information. See D.C.Code § 50-2209.02(b); 18 DCMR § 3000.1. The boilerplate language on the front of the ticket is as follows: Your vehicle was photographed violating District of Columbia Traffic Regulations on the date and time listed below. Under District law, the registered owner of a vehicle is liable for payment of the fine for violations recorded using an automated traffic enforcement system, unless the vehicle was not in the custody of the owner at the time of the infraction. POINTS WILL NOT BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE REGISTERED OWNER OR THE DESIGNATED DRIVER FOR THIS VIOLATION. On the back of this notice you will find detailed information regarding payment, ticket adjudication, and assignment of responsibility. . . . . Your answer to this notice of infraction must be submitted by the payment due date listed below. Failure to pay the fine or otherwise answer in the manner and time required is an admission of liability. This will result in additional penalties and the loss of your right to a hearing. In addition, your driving privileges may be suspended and your home state may place a hold on the renewal of your vehicle registration. For vehicles registered in the District of Columbia, the District Department of Motor Vehicles will place a hold on the renewal of the vehicle registration as long as the fine and penalty are unpaid. The back of the District's ticket explains how the automated system works, and provides an answer form. The owner is offered two basic alternatives: to admit or deny the infraction. If the owner denies the infraction, s/he may either request (1) a hearing, (2) mail adjudication, or (3) outright dismissal of the ticket, on the basis of the vehicle having been stolen prior to the issuance of the citation, or that the vehicle was not in my custody, care, or control at the time of the infraction. If the owner wishes to claim that s/he was not the driver, s/he must complete the very bottom portion of the ticket, submitting a notarized certification with the name and address of the actual driver. If the registered owner fails to respond to the ticket within thirty days of its issuance, the District sends a Notice of Deemed Admission. This notice states: Your vehicle was photographed violating District of Columbia Traffic Regulations on the date and time listed above. Under District law, the registered owner of a vehicle is liable for payment of the fine assessed for violations recorded using an automated traffic enforcement system. This includes rental, leased, and fleet vehicles. As the registered owner of the vehicle with the tag listed above, you were mailed a notice of infraction for this offense. Our records show that you failed to answer the initial Notice of Infraction for this violation within 30 calendar days from issuance as required by law. Under District law, you are deemed to have admitted this violation. Therefore, a penalty equal to the original fine was added to the total amount due. You may not request a hearing on this infraction. You must pay this fine and penalty within ten days or your home state Department of Motor Vehicles will be notified of your failure to answer this violation. Your state may also place a registration hold on your vehicle registration.