Green v. Dearborn Municipal Court

188 N.W.2d 98, 31 Mich. App. 591, 1971 Mich. App. LEXIS 2126

• Court: Michigan Court of Appeals
• Decided: March 24, 1971
• Docket: Docket 8865
• Status: Published

Opinion

Quinn, J.

Defendant appeals from the judgment of the circuit court which held chapter 6.1(c) of the official traffic code of Dearborn invalid, unreasonable, and unconstitutional because it conflicts with MCLA § 257.625(b) (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9.2325-[2]), and dismissed the prosecution of plaintiff under that ordinance.

Under the ordinance, plaintiff was charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants. His motion to dismiss because the maximum fine under the ordinance exceeded the maximum fine under the statute was denied and trial was set.

Prior to trial, plaintiff filed his complaint for superintending control in the circuit court. The trial court found that the maximum fine under the ordinance was $500 which conflicted with the maximum fine of $100 under the statute and on the basis of the uniformity provision of the state motor vehicle code, MCLA § 257.605 (Stat Ann 1968 Rev § 9.2305), he held the ordinance unconstitutional and entered the judgment appealed from.

The uniformity provision reads:

“The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein and no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation in conflict with the provisions of this chapter.”

We agree with the trial court that this statute prohibits Dearborn from enacting or enforcing a penalty provision in an ordinance that is in conflict with the state statute. We do not agree that enactment of such a penalty provision makes the entire ordinance unconstitutional.

Const 1963, art 7, § 29, reserves to local units of government the reasonable control of their highways and streets. The statute quoted above recognizes this reservation by the fact of requiring statewide uniformity. If the sole authority to control highways and streets was vested in the state, the uniformity provision would be superfluous. It is a limitation on the authority of local units of government to control their highways and streets, not a prohibition against the exercise of that control.

To the extent that the penalty provision of chapter 6.1(c) of the official traffic code of Dearborn exceeds MCLA § 257.625(b), supra, the penalty provision is invalid and unenforceable. Within the penalty limits of MCLA § 257.625(b), the Dearborn traffic code is valid and enforceable.

Reversed and remanded with direction to the circuit court to remand the action to Dearborn Munici pal Court for trial. Those provisions of the circuit court judgment not specifically referred to in this opinion are affirmed. No costs are allowed in view of the public question.

All concurred.