§ 16-106

For offenses committed under the provisions of this Act or the ordinances of any municipality, park district or county which involve the regulation of the ownership, use or operation of vehicles, the police officers and officials of such municipalities and park districts, and sheriffs shall, when issuing a traffic ticket, other citation, or Notice to Appear in lieu of either, in counties other than Cook, also issue written notice to the accused in substantially the following form: AVOID MULTIPLE COURT APPEARANCES If you intend to plead "not guilty" to this charge, or if, in addition, you intend to demand a trial by jury, so notify the clerk of the court at least 5 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays or holidays) before the day set for your appearance. A new appearance date will be set, and arrangements will be made to have the arresting officer present on that new date. Failure to notify the clerk of either your intention to plead "not guilty" or your intention to demand a jury trial, may result in your having to return to court, if you plead "not guilty" on the date originally set for your court appearance. Upon timely receipt of notice that the accused intends to plead "not guilty", the clerk shall set a new appearance date not less than 7 days nor more than 49 days after the original appearance date set by the arresting officer, and notify all parties of the new date and the time for appearance. If the accused fails to notify the clerk as provided above, the arresting officer's failure to appear on the date originally set for appearance may, in counties other than Cook, be considered good cause for a continuance.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 81-781.)