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District of Columbia Code Division VIII. General Laws. § 50-2302.06. Hearing.

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Each hearing for the adjudication of a traffic infraction pursuant to this subchapter shall be held before a hearing examiner in accordance with Chapter 10 of Title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations except as provided by this chapter. The burden of proof shall be on the District and no infraction shall be established except by clear and convincing evidence.

(b)(1) If a person to whom a notice of infraction has been issued fails to appear at a scheduled hearing to contest a charge for which the person received notice by postal mail sent to the person's address of record, through electronic mail, or in person, the hearing examiner may enter a default judgment sustaining the charges, fix the appropriate fine, assess appropriate penalties, if any, if the commission of the infraction is established by clear and convincing evidence. The judgment shall take effect and notice shall be provided in accordance with § 50-2302.05(f). Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the notice shall further state that the default judgment may be vacated if the Department receives by mail or through the Department's website, within 60 calendar days of the effective date of the judgment, a written application to vacate the default judgment that sets forth:

(A) A sufficient defense to the charge; and

(B) Excusable neglect as to the respondent's failure to attend the hearing.

(2) If the infraction underlying the default judgment involves a violation of § 31-2413(a)(3), the notice provided shall state that the default judgment may be vacated if the Department receives by mail or through the Department's website, within one calendar year of the date of the judgment, a written application to vacate the default judgment that sets forth:

(A) A sufficient defense to the charge as described in 50-2302.05(b)(2); or

(B) Excusable neglect as to the respondent's failure to attend the hearing.

(3) If the infraction underlying the default judgment involves a violation of Chapter 17A of this title, the notice provided shall state that the default judgment may be vacated if the Department receives by mail or through the Department's website, within one year of the date of the judgment, a written application to vacate the default judgment that sets forth:

(A) A sufficient defense to the charge as described in § 50-1731.06(a); or

(B) Excusable neglect as to the respondent's failure to attend the hearing.

(c) The police officer issuing the notice of infraction shall appear at the hearing of a case wherein the respondent has denied the commission of the infraction; except, no officer is required at the hearing when a violation is detected by an automated traffic enforcement system. The police officer issuing the notice of infraction shall not be required to attend the hearing of a case wherein the respondent has admitted or has admitted with explanation the commission of the infraction unless:

(1) The respondent requests the presence of the officer at the same time that he answers to the infraction and the hearing examiner determines that the testimony of such officer would assist his determination of the appropriate sanction to impose; or

(2) The hearing examiner decides to require such presence.

(d) After due consideration of the evidence and arguments presented, the hearing examiner shall determine whether the infraction has been established. Where the infraction is not established, an order dismissing the charge shall be entered. Where a determination is made that an infraction has been established or where an answer admitting the commission of the infraction or admitting the commission of the infraction with explanation has been received, an appropriate order shall be entered in the Department's records. Where a determination has been made that the infraction has been established, the Department shall provide written notice of the decision to the respondent, including an accompanying explanation of why any evidence provided was insufficient.

(d-1)(1) The following facts shall be judicially noticed in a proceeding governed by the provisions of this subchapter:

(A) Facts that the courts of the District of Columbia find judicially cognizable;

(B) Generally recognized technical or specialized facts within the knowledge and experience of the hearing examiners of the Department;

(C) Facts contained in the records and files of the Department; and

(D) Any other matter or document that a hearing examiner finds is properly the subject of judicial notice.

(2) A fact contained in a document belonging to a category enumerated in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered to have been physically incorporated into and made part of the record in a proceeding.

(e) An order, entered pursuant to a determination that an infraction has been established or pursuant to the receipt of an answer admitting the infraction or admitting the infraction with explanation, shall be civil in nature but shall be treated as an adjudication that an infraction has been committed for the purposes of this chapter and for the purposes of the assessment of traffic points pursuant to Chapter II of Title 32 of the District of Columbia Rules and Regulations.

(f) The hearing examiner may impose as sanctions for such infraction:

(1) A civil fine and applicable penalties as prescribed pursuant to § 50-2301.05;

(2) The completion of traffic school in lieu of the assessment of the applicable points; or

(3) Both of the preceding sanctions.

(g) In making the determination whether an infraction is established, the hearing examiner shall not consider the traffic record of the respondent, unless so requested by the respondent. However, the hearing examiner shall consider the respondent's traffic record in determining the appropriate sanction to impose.

(h) The hearing examiner may stay the imposition of any sanction imposed pending administrative review pursuant to part F of Chapter IX of Title 32 of the District of Columbia Rules and Regulations and subchapter IV of this chapter; provided, that the respondent posts a security in the amount of the civil fine and any penalties and, in the case where the sanction includes the suspension or revocation of his license to drive, surrenders his operator's permit to the Bureau of Traffic Adjudication. If a respondent surrenders his operator's permit, a temporary permit shall be issued pursuant to the standards set forth in § 9.202(b)(2) of Title 32 of the District of Columbia Rules and Regulations.

(i) All civil fines and other monies collected pursuant to the provisions of this subchapter shall be paid into the General Fund of the District of Columbia.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - District of Columbia Code Division VIII. General Laws. § 50-2302.06. Hearing. - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/dc/division-viii-general-laws/dc-code-sect-50-2302-06/

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