City Code violations that are filed with the Municipal Court are class C misdemeanors punishable by a fine up to $500 plus court costs and restitution (if applicable).
Failure to Return Library Property
Section 11-3 States
"(a) Every person who shall take or borrow from the public library any book, pamphlet, periodical, paper, print of a painting, film, phonograph record, magnetic tape, or other property, and neglect to return the same within two weeks from the date of mailing a notice to the person’s address, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) A parent of a child who is under the age of 15 years (the child’s age) commits an offense if the parent fails to take library property from his or her child and return it to the library within two weeks from the date of mailing a notice to the parent’s address that indicates that the child has taken or borrowed property from the public library and failed to return it to the library. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection that the parent was incapable of taking said property from the child because he/she did not have custody of the child. It is also an affirmative defense to prosecution under this subsection that, within two weeks of the date of mailing the aforementioned notice, the parent informed the library that the child was no longer in possession of the library book and produced the child before the director of the library to arrange for restitution to the library of the value of the book."
Juvenile Curfew Violation
Section 15-31 States
"(a) A minor commits an offense if he remains in any public place or on the premises of any commercial establishment within the city during curfew hours. Please note: A minor means any person under 17 years of age
(b) A parent of a minor commits an offense if he knowingly permits, or by insufficient control allows, a minor to remain in any public place or on the premises of any commercial establishment within the city during curfew hours."
The Juvenile Curfew is as follows:
- 12:01 am on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday until 6 am of that same day; and
- 1:01 am until 6 am on any Saturday or Sunday; and
- 9 am until 3 pm on any Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on days that the school in which the minor is enrolled is in session unless the minor has school permission to be off-campus.
Unrestrained Animal
Section 4-40 of the City Code States
"(a) It shall be unlawful for an owner of an animal to fail to exercise control over such animal to prevent it from threatening, chasing or attacking passing persons, vehicles or other animals.
(b) It shall be unlawful for an owner of a dog to fail to keep such animal under restraint. This subsection shall not apply to law enforcement canines when performing law enforcement activities under the direction of a trained handler.
(c) It shall be unlawful for an owner of an animal to fail to exercise control over such animal to prevent it from damaging private or public property.
(d) It shall be unlawful for an owner of an animal to fail to exercise control over such animal to prevent it from barking, whining or howling in such a manner, with such intensity, or with such continued duration, so as to annoy, distress or disturb the quiet comfort or repose of persons of normal nervous sensibilities within the vicinity of hearing thereof.
(e) It shall be unlawful for an owner of a dog or cat in heat to fail to confine such animal in a building that prevents any contact between such animal and any other animal, except for planned breeding"
Code Violations
City Code violations can be issued by a variety of different departments including:
- Animal Control Officers
- Code Enforcement
- Fire Department
- The Library
- Police Department
In most instances, you will be notified by a summons to appear in court. Failure to appear to make disposition of the charge(s) pending against you will result in a warrant being issued. Get more information regarding City Ordinances here.