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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 1-2804. ANSWERS IN CIVIL FINE CASES
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2804.1 To answer a Notice of Infraction or a Notice of Violation (both “Notice”), a Respondent should file the Respondent’s copy of the Notice at OAH, or in DCTC cases filed in the DMV automatic ticket database, the Respondent shall answer according to the instructions on the back of the Notice of Infraction. The Respondent shall indicate on the Notice whether the Respondent’s answer is Admit, Admit with Explanation, or Deny.
2804.2 If a Respondent does not file the Respondent’s copy of the Notice, a written answer will be sufficient if it contains both the number of the Notice and a statement whether the Respondent’s answer is Admit, Deny, or Admit with Explanation.
2804.3 A Respondent is not required to send a copy of the answer to the Government. OAH will send the Government a copy of every answer of Deny or Admit with Explanation. In DCTC cases filed in the DMV automatic ticket database, the Government has access to answers of Deny or Admit with Explanation in that database.
2804.4 A Respondent whose answer is Admit shall pay the fine specified on the Notice when filing the answer.
2804.5 If a Respondent’s answer is Deny, OAH ordinarily will schedule a hearing and will notify the Respondent and Government, in writing, of the hearing date and time. The hearing order will contain additional information about procedures for the hearing. In DCTC cases filed in the DMV automatic ticket database, OAH will notify DCTC in writing of the hearing date and time selected by Respondent or by calendaring the hearing in the DMV database. In DCTC cases filed in the DMV database, if Respondent did not select the date and time of the hearing, OAH shall notify the Respondent in writing of the date and time of the hearing.
2804.6If a Respondent’s answer is Deny, after notice and opportunity to respond, an Administrative Law Judge may decide a case based on the papers submitted, without an in-person hearing, if a hearing is unnecessary.
2804.7At least five (5) calendar days before any hearing date, the Respondent shall file at OAH copies of all exhibits that the Respondent intends to ask the Administrative Law Judge to consider at the hearing. At the same time, the Respondent shall send copies of those exhibits to the Government. In DCTC cases filed in the DMV automatic ticket database, the Respondent may file copies of all such exhibits in the DMV database without sending copies to DCTC. An Administrative Law Judge may allow a Respondent to use exhibits at a hearing that the Respondent did not file or provide to the Government before the hearing if there is no prejudice to the Government.
2804.8 If a Respondent’s answer is Admit with Explanation, a Respondent shall submit a written explanation stating why the Respondent believes the Administrative Law Judge should reduce or suspend the fine or any penalty. The Respondent also shall submit any papers, photographs, or other materials supporting the Respondent’s explanation. In DCTC cases filed in the DMV automatic ticket database, Respondent may file any materials supporting the answer of Admit with Explanation through the DMV database.
2804.9 OAH will send a copy of an answer of Admit with Explanation and supporting materials to the Government, and will allow the Government twenty-one (21) calendar days to reply. The Government must send the Respondent a copy of everything the Government files in reply. In DCTC cases filed in the DMV automatic ticket database, the Government has access to the answer of Admit with Explanation and Respondent’s supporting materials through the DMV database. Any reply by DCTC must be filed in the DMV database and also provided to the Respondent.
2804.10 The Administrative Law Judge shall decide Admit with Explanation cases by considering all the materials filed by the parties, including the exhibits filed with the Notice, Respondent’s explanation and supporting materials, and the Government’s reply and supporting materials. The Administrative Law Judge will not hold a hearing, unless the parties’ materials are not sufficient to allow him or her to decide the case.
2804.11In an Admit with Explanation case, the Administrative Law Judge shall dismiss the Notice if he or she determines that the Respondent did not commit or is not responsible for the violation charged.
2804.12In all civil fine cases, an Administrative Law Judge shall not impose a fine that exceeds the fine amount the Government requests.
2804.13In a case involving (a) a denial, revocation, suspension, or modification of a license issued under the DCTC statute; or (b) any other order or action authorized under the DCTC Act, other than a Notice of Infraction, OAH will schedule a hearing as required by law or on the request of the Respondent. If the Respondent requests a hearing, OAH shall schedule the hearing as required by law or as soon as practicable. If the Respondent does not appear for a hearing, the Administrative Law Judge may suspend the hearing and close the case.