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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 1. MAYOR AND EXECUTIVE AGENCIES |
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Chapter 1-28. OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS: RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE |
Section 1-2803. BEGINNING A CIVIL FINE CASE
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2803.1Sections 2803 through 2807 establish procedures for cases in which the Government seeks payment of a civil fine.
2803.2When the Government is seeking a civil fine, it must file a Notice of Infraction or a Notice of Violation, as authorized by law, at the OAH. The Government may not file a Notice of Infraction, under the Civil Infractions Act, without complying with Subsection 2803.5, and may not file a Notice of Violation, under the Litter Control Administration Act, without complying with Subsection 2803.8.
2803.3The Government must provide a copy of the Notice of Infraction or Notice of Violation to the Respondent (the person or entity that the Government wants to pay the fine) in the manner specified in the Civil Infractions Act, the Litter Control Administration Act, the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985 (DCTC Act), or other applicable law.
2803.4If a Respondent files an answer before the Government files a Notice of Infraction or a Notice of Violation, OAH will open a case. The Administrative Law Judge may require the Government to file the original Notice of Infraction or Notice of Violation.
2803.5In a Civil Infractions Act case filed on or after October 1, 2010, if the Government sends a Notice of Infraction to the Respondent by first-class mail, the Government may not file the Notice of Infraction until at least fifteen (15) calendar days after the date that it mailed the Notice of Infraction. When it files the Notice of Infraction, the Government also must file an affidavit, on a form approved by the Chief Administrative Law Judge, verifying that the United States Postal Service (USPS) did not return the Notice of Infraction to the Government.
2803.6If the USPS returns a Notice of Infraction to the Government after it has filed the affidavit required by Subsections 2803.5 or 2803.11(b), the Government must notify OAH by filing a new affidavit, on a form approved by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.
2803.7If the USPS returns the Notice of Infraction to the Government, the Government may file proof of any alternative service of the Notice of Infraction.
2803.8In a Litter Control Administration Act case, if the Government sends a Notice of Violation to a Respondent by certified mail, the Government must file a copy of a signed certified mail receipt or other proof that the USPS delivered the Notice of Violation to the Respondent’s address. If the USPS returns the certified mail to the Government, the Government may file proof of any alternative service of the Notice of Violation.
2803.9When it files a Notice of Infraction or a Notice of Violation, the Government must file a copy of all exhibits it expects to offer at any hearing in the case and must provide a copy of each exhibit to the Respondent. An Administrative Law Judge may allow the Government to use exhibits that it did not file or provide in accordance with this subsection if there is no prejudice to the Respondent.
2803.10OAH may dismiss or may refuse to accept for filing any Notice of Infraction or Notice of Violation that does not comply with the applicable law or these Rules.
2803.11When the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission (DCTC) is seeking civil fines or sanctions under the "District of Columbia Taxicab Commission Establishment Act of 1985," effective March 25, 1986, as amended (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code §§ 50-301 et seq.) (“DCTC Act”),
(a) DCTC may file a Notice of Infraction by entering it in the automatic ticket database presently maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The day the Notice of Infraction data is entered into the DMV database shall be deemed the date of filing of the Notice of Infraction with OAH;
(b) If DCTC serves a Notice of Infraction by first-class mail, DCTC may not file the Notice of Infraction with OAH until at least fifteen (15) calendar days after the date it mailed the Notice of Infraction. When it files the Notice of Infraction with OAH, DCTC must also file an affidavit, on a form approved by the Chief Administrative Law Judge, verifying that the USPS did not return the Notice of Infraction to DCTC;
(c) If DCTC issues a Notice of summary or proposed denial, revocation, suspension or modification of a license, a Notice to cease and desist, or a Notice to take action, DCTC shall file the Notice with OAH promptly and serve it in the manner provided under the DCTC Act and implementing regulations. OAH will schedule a hearing as required by law or on the request of the Respondent;
(d) If DCTC takes other actions under the DCTC Act or implementing regulations appealable to OAH, DCTC shall file the relevant Notice, Order, or Action with OAH and serve it in the manner provided under the DCTC Act and implementing regulations. If the DCTC Act and implementing regulations do not specify a manner of service, DCTC shall follow Subsection (b) above.
2803.12When a Notice of Infraction is issued from a hand-held electronic device, no signature of an issuing officer shall be required; provided, that the officer's printed name, department, and badge number appear legibly on the face of the Notice of Infraction.