Policy Text
Policy
508San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentTraffic Citations - 1Traffic Citations
508.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy outlines the responsibility for traffic citations, the procedure for dismissal, correction,
and voiding of traffic citations.
508.2 RESPONSIBILITIES
The Traffic Sergeant and Records Supervisor shall be responsible for the development and design
of all Department traffic citations in compliance with state law and the Judicial Council.
The Records Unit shall be responsible for the supply of all traffic citations distributed to employees
of this department.
508.3 DISMISSAL OF TRAFFIC CITATIONS
Employees of this department do not have the authority to dismiss a citation once it has been
issued. Only the court has the authority to dismiss a citation that has been issued ( Vehicle Code
§ 40500(d)). Any request from a recipient to dismiss a citation shall be referred to their appointed
time and date for Traffic Court as indicated on their copy of the citation.
Should an officer determine during a court proceeding that a traffic citation should be dismissed
in the interest of justice or where prosecution is deemed inappropriate the officer may request the
court to dismiss the citation.
508.4 VOIDING TRAFFIC CITATIONS
Voiding a traffic citation may occur when a traffic citation has not been completed or where it is
completed, but not issued.
508.5 CORRECTION OF TRAFFIC CITATIONS
When a traffic citation is issued and in need of correction, the officer issuing the citation shall
submit the citation and a Citation Amendment form requesting a specific correction to Records.
508.7 NOTICE OF PARKING VIOLATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
Disposition of notice of parking violation appeals is conducted pursuant to Vehicle Code § 40215.
All parking citation reviews and related matters shall be referred to the City Parking Division.
508.7.2 TIME REQUIREMENTS
Administrative review or appearance before a hearing examiner will not be provided if the
mandated time limits are not adhered to by the violator.
(a)Requests for an administrative review must be postmarked within 21 calendar days of
issuance of the notice of parking violation, or within 14 calendar days of the mailing of
the Notice of Delinquent Parking Violation (Vehicle Code § 40215(a)).
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Traffic Citations
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/10/31, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentTraffic Citations - 2(b)Requests for administrative hearings must be made no later than 21 calendar days
following the notification mailing of the results of the administrative review (Vehicle
Code § 40215(b)).
(c)An administrative hearing shall be held within 90 calendar days following the receipt of
a request for an administrative hearing, excluding time tolled pursuant to Vehicle Code
§ 40200 - 40225. The person requesting the hearing may request one continuance,
not to exceed 21 calendar days (Vehicle Code § 40215).
(d)Registered owners of vehicles may transfer responsibility for the violation via timely
affidavit of non-liability when the vehicle has been transferred, rented or under certain
other circumstances (Vehicle Code § 40209; Vehicle Code § 40210).
508.8 JUVENILE CITATIONS
Completion of traffic citation forms for juveniles may vary slightly from the procedure for adults.
The juvenile’s age, place of residency, and the type of offense should be considered before issuing
the juvenile a citation.