Local Authorities Enforce Vehicle Registration

The act authorizes local authorities to enforce the state requirement that a vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or motor vehicle (vehicle) be registered. A conviction by a local authority does not bar a subsequent state prosecution if the subsequent prosecution does not arise from the same event.

A court may dismiss a violation for failing to register a vehicle if:

• The vehicle was unregistered for no more than 4 months at the time of the violation;
• The owner registered the vehicle before the owner's first court date; and
• The owner pays a $30 administrative dismissal fee if the court is a municipal court.

A peace officer who charges a person for a violation must notify the defendant of the opportunity to have the charge dismissed by the court.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)