§ 77-7-19 — Appearance required by citation -- Arrest for failure to appear -- Transfer of cases -- Disposition of fines and costs.

(1) An individual receiving a citation issued pursuant to Section 77-7-18 shall appear in the court designated in the citation on or before the time and date specified in the citation unless:

(1)(a) the citation states that the court will, within five to 14 days, notify the individual of when to appear; or
(1)(b) the individual is permitted to remit the fine and other penalties without a personal appearance in accordance with a uniform fine schedule adopted by the Judicial Council or by court order under Section 77-7-21.
(2) A citation may not require an individual to appear or contact the court sooner than five days or later than 14 days following its issuance.
(3) If the individual cited does not appear before the court as directed by the citation or the court, or pay the fine as allowed by Section 77-7-21, the court may issue a bench warrant for the individual's arrest.
(4) (4)(a) Clerks and other administrative personnel serving the courts shall identify for the judge any citations over which the court may lack jurisdiction.
(4)(b) Upon determining that the court lacks jurisdiction over a citation, the court shall:
(4)(b)(i) transfer the case to a court with jurisdiction;
(4)(b)(ii) if the court cannot readily identify a court with jurisdiction, dismiss the charges contained in the citation; and
(4)(b)(iii) notify the prosecutor of the transfer or dismissal.
(4)(c) Any fine, fee, or forfeiture collected by a court that lacks jurisdiction shall be:
(4)(c)(i) transferred to the court receiving the case; or
(4)(c)(ii) if the case is dismissed, returned to the defendant.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 185, 2020 General Session