NCJ Number
122814
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 5-7
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The town of Romeoville, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, implemented an Administrative Warning Ticket (AWT) program to alleviate overcrowded courtrooms, excessive court time for police officers, and citizens spending long hours in court.
Abstract
The AWT program is designed to administratively process minor ordinance violations, such as licensing and equipment violations, to obtain compliance without resort to the court system. The unique feature of the program requires the defendant to pay an administrative fine or ticket to recover a portion of the program's expense. Once police officers have observed a minor ordinance violation, they have the option of issuing a State uniform traffic citation or the AWT. The violator has 10 days from the date of AWT issuance to pay the fine and, in some cases, repair or comply. In essence, AWT tickets are a courtesy; violators are frequently eager to dispose of the matter by paying the fine. Recipients also realize that the AWT does not go against their driver's license record. In addition, the AWT system encourages greater compliance with equipment and licensing ordinances than the traditional type of written warning ticket. Because the number of minor violations appearing on the court docket is reduced, a larger proportion of the court's time is spent on more serious violations. From February 1 through May 31, 1988, AWT fines reflected a voluntary compliance rate between 75 and 80 percent. 5 references.