Skip to main content

Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS)

Sample Ordinance for Adding E-Citation Court Cost

Reference Number: MTAS-1977
Reviewed Date: 12/20/2021
(FOR USE BY CITIES THAT HAVE THE STANDARD MTAS MUNICPAL CODE TITLE 3, CHAPTER 2 COURT ADMINISTRATION)
 
ORDINANCE NO._____
 
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 3 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY/TOWN OF _____________________ TO ADOPT ELECTRONIC CITATION REGULATIONS AND FEES
 
WHEREAS, Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-10-207 was amended by Public Chapter 750 (2014), authorizing electronic citations to be filed in court, along with a fee to recover costs associated with both written and electronic citations; 
 
NOW, THEREFORE,
 
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF ____________________, TENNESSEE, THAT: 
 
**Section 1. The Municipal Code of the City/Town of ________ be amended by adding this new subsection to 3-20__ as follows: 
 
3-20__ .  Imposition of fines, penalties, and costs.   (  ) Electronic citation regulations and fees.  
 
(a) As used in this section, "electronic citation" means a written citation or an electronic  citation prepared by a law enforcement officer on paper or on an electronic data device with the intent the citation shall be filed, electronically or otherwise, with a court having jurisdiction over the alleged offense.
(b) Pursuant to and in accordance with state statutory requirements found in Tennessee Code Section 55-10-207(e), each court clerk shall charge and collect an electronic citation fee of five dollars ($5.00) for each citation which results in a conviction.  
 
[** For cities with no court costs section in title 3, replace Section 1 with the following language:]
 
Section 1. The Municipal Code of the City/Town of ________ be amended by adding this new section to title 3, chapter __: 
 
3-20___.  Electronic citation regulations and fees.
 
 
Section 2. Date of effect. This ordinance shall take effect from and after its final passage, the public welfare requiring it. 
 
 
Section 3.  Sunset provision.  This Ordinance and its fee requirement shall terminate five (5) years from the date of adoption of this Ordinance and the city’s Code shall be so annotated. 
 
 
Passed 1st reading, _____________________________, 20___.
 
 
Passed 2nd reading,_____________________________, 20___.
 
 
___________________________________
Mayor
 
 
___________________________________
Recorder