City of Allen Park
Penalties for Ordinance Violations
There are three (3) basic types of penalties for violating or disobeying a City Ordinance. These types are a Misdemeanor, a Municipal Civil Infraction and a Civil Infraction. Each Ordinance indicates the type of penalty a violation is to carry. If the Ordinance does not specify a penalty, the penalty is usually a Misdemeanor. The information provided below is intended to provide a general overview and a general guide only. If you should receive a violation from the City, you should check with the Court or the City Clerk's Office to determine what type of penalties apply as several City Ordinances have specific penalties beyond the general penalties indicated below.
Misdemeanors
These are the most serious violations for local ordinances or laws. If
an individual is convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor offense, that
individual could be assessed a fine of up to $500.00 and/or be placed in jail
for up to 90 or 93 days. In addition to these penalties, the Court can
impose Court Costs and other Court sanctioned fees or penalties.
Municipal Civil Infractions
These violations are for non-traffic offenses and are considered
non-criminal violations because the Court cannot impose jail time for the actual
violation. If an individual is convicted or found responsible for the
Municipal Civil Infraction, the individual will simply be assessed a fine.
In addition to this fine, the Court can impose Court Costs and other Court
sanctioned fees or penalties.
Civil Infractions
These violations are for traffic offenses and are considered
non-criminal violations because the Court cannot impose jail time for the actual
violation. If an individual is convicted or found responsible for the
Civil Infraction, the individual will simply be assessed a fine. In
addition to this fine, the Court can impose Court Costs and other Court
sanctioned fees or penalties.
Additional Penalties or Special Provisions
Continuing Offense: City Ordinance allows an individual to be
charged with a new offense or violation for each day the violation exists.
For example, if an individual parks a vehicle on the grass and leaves it there
for three (3) days; the individual could receive three (3) citations or tickets
for parking on the grass, one for each day the vehicle was parked on the grass.
Remedy: If an individual is charged with violating a Building Code or the Zoning Code, or if the Ordinance under which the individual is charged allows, the individual may also be ordered by the Court to correct the problem or condition.
Graduated Penalties: Some Ordinances indicate that the penalty increases for subsequent or additional violations. In many of the Municipal Civil Infractions, subsequent or additional violations can change the violation from a Municipal Civil Infraction (a non-criminal violation) into a Misdemeanor (a criminal violation).
Court Penalties: If an individual is charged with a violation of a local ordinance and does not comply with the orders or direction of the Court, the individual may face additional penalties, including jail, regardless if the original City offense allowed for the jail penalty. These penalties are imposed by the Court through the legal process and are not part of the penalties for the violation of the City ordinance.