IRLJ 3.1: CONTESTED HEARINGS-PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS

(a) Subpoena. The defendant and the prosecuting attorney may subpoena witnesses necessary for the presentation of their respective cases. Witnesses should be served at least seven (7) days before the hearing. The subpoena may be issued by a judge, court commissioner, or clerk of the court or by a party's lawyer. If a party's lawyer issues a subpoena, a copy shall be filed with the court and with the office of the prosecuting authority assigned to the court in which the infraction is filed on the same day it is sent out for service. A request that an officer appear at a contested hearing pursuant to rule 3.3(c) shall be filed on a separate pleading. A subpoena may be directed for service within their jurisdiction to the sheriff of any county or any peace officer of any municipality in the state in which the witness may be or it may be served as provided in CR 45(b), or it may be served by first-class mail, postage prepaid, sent to the witnesses' last known address. Service by mail shall be deemed complete upon the third day following the day upon which the subpoena was placed in the mail. If the subpoena is for a witness outside the county, a judge must approve of the subpoena.

(b) Discovery. Upon written demand of the defendant at least 14 days before a contested hearing, filed with the court and served on the office of the prosecuting authority assigned to the court in which the infraction is filed, the prosecuting authority shall at least 7 days before the hearing provide the defendant or the defendant's lawyer with: (1) a copy of the citing officer's sworn statement; (2) a copy of video or photographic evidence the prosecutor proposes to introduce at trial, unless in reply to the discovery request the prosecutor provides the address to a web site where such evidence is accessible to the defendant; and (3) the names of any witnesses not identified in the citing officer's sworn statement. No other discovery shall be required. If the prosecuting authority provides any portion of the discovery less than 7 days before the hearing, such untimely discovery shall be suppressed only upon a showing of prejudice in the presentation of the defendant's case. If the prosecuting authority, without reasonable excuse or justification, fails to provide any portion of the discovery prior to the day of the hearing, the portion of discovery not provided shall be suppressed. Neither party is precluded from investigating the case, and neither party shall impede another party's investigation. A request for discovery pursuant to this section shall be filed on a separate pleading.

(c) Amendment of Notice. The court may permit a notice of infraction to be amended at any time before judgment if no additional or different infraction is charged, and if substantial rights of the defendant are not thereby prejudiced. A continuance shall be granted if the defendant satisfies the court that the additional time is needed to defend against the amended notice of infraction.

(d) Sufficiency. No notice of infraction shall be deemed insufficient for failure to contain a definite statement of the essential facts constituting the specific infraction which the defendant is alleged to have committed, nor by reason of defects, imperfections, or omissions which do not tend to prejudice substantial rights of the defendant.

[Adopted as JTIR effective January 1, 1981. Changed from JTIR to IRLJ effective September 1, 1992; amended effective January 2, 1997; January 3, 2006; January 2, 2007; September 1, 2010; December 8, 2015.]

IRLJ 3.2: FAILURE TO APPEAR

(a) Entry of Judgment. If the defendant fails to appear at a requested hearing the court shall enter judgment against the defendant finding that the defendant has committed the infraction and assessing against the defendant any monetary penalties provided by law. A judgment upon a failure to appear shall not be entered if it appears to the court from the papers on file that the infraction case was brought in an improper court.

(b) Setting Aside Judgment Upon Failure To Appear. For good cause shown and upon terms the court deems just, the court may set aside a judgment entered upon a failure to appear in accordance with CRLJ 60(b).

IRLJ 3.3: PROCEDURE AT CONTESTED HEARING

(a) Generally. The court shall conduct the hearing for contesting the notice of infraction on the record in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Representation by Lawyer. At a contested hearing, the plaintiff shall be represented by a lawyer representative of the prosecuting authority when prescribed by local court rule. The defendant may be represented by a lawyer.

(c) Rules of Evidence. The Rules of Evidence and statutes that relate to evidence in infraction cases shall apply to contested hearings. The court may consider the notice of infraction and any other written report made under oath submitted by the officer who issued the notice or whose written statement was the basis for the issuance of the notice in lieu of the officer's personal appearance at the hearing, unless the defendant has caused the officer to be served with a subpoena to appear in accordance with instructions from the court issued pursuant to rule 2.6(a)(2).

(d) Factual Determination. The court shall determine whether the plaintiff has proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant committed the infraction. If the court finds the infraction was committed, it shall enter an appropriate order on its records. If the court finds the infraction was not committed, it shall enter an order dismissing the case.

(e) Disposition. If the court determines that the infraction has been committed, it may assess a monetary penalty against the defendant. The monetary penalty assessed may not exceed the monetary penalty provided for the infraction by law. The court may waive or suspend a portion of the monetary penalty, or provide for time payments, or in lieu of monetary payment provide for the performance of community restitution as provided by law. The court has continuing jurisdiction and authority to supervise disposition for not more than 1 year.

[Adopted as JTIR effective January 1, 1981; amended effective March 20, 1981. Changed from JTIR to IRLJ effective September 1, 1992; amended effective September 1, 1997; amended effective January 3, 2006.]

IRLJ 3.4: HEARING ON MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES

(a) Generally. The court shall conduct the hearing concerning mitigating circumstances in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Procedure at Hearing. The court shall hold an informal hearing which shall not be governed by the Rules of Evidence. Subject to the other provisions of these rules, all relevant evidence is admissible which, in the opinion of the judge, is the best evidence reasonably obtainable, having due regard for its necessity, availability and trustworthiness. The plaintiff and the defendant may each be represented by a lawyer. The defendant may present witnesses, but they may not be compelled to attend.

(c) Disposition. The court shall determine whether the defendants explanation of the events justifies reduction of the monetary penalty. The court shall enter an order finding the defendant committed the infraction and may assess a monetary penalty. The court may not impose a penalty in excess of the monetary penalty provided for the infraction by law. The court may waive or suspend a portion of the monetary penalty, or provide for time payments, or in lieu of monetary payment provide for the performance of community restitution as provided by law. The court has continuing jurisdiction and authority to supervise disposition for not more than 1 year.

[Adopted effective September 1, 1992; amended effective January 3, 2006.]

IRLJ 3.5: LOCAL RULE OPTIONS

(a) Decisions on Written Statements.

(1) Contested Hearing Procedures. The court shall examine the citing officer's report and any statement or documents submitted by the defendant. The examination may be held in chambers and shall take place within 120 days after the defendant filed the response to the notice of infraction. The court shall determine whether the plaintiff has proved by a preponderance of the evidence submitted whether the infraction was committed.

(2) Mitigation Hearing Procedures. A mitigation hearing based on a written statement may be held in chambers and shall take place within one hundred twenty (120) days after the defendant filed the response to the notice of infraction.

(3) Notice to Defendant. The court shall notify the defendant in writing of its decision, including any penalty imposed.

(4) No Appeal Permitted. There shall be no appeal from a decision on written statements.

(b) Telephonic or Video Conference Mitigation Hearings.

(1) Local Rule Permitted. A court may adopt a local rule permitting defendants to appear at a mitigation hearing by telephone or video conference in lieu of an in-person appearance; such proceedings are open to the public.

(2) Requirements. Such local rule shall comply with the requirements that the hearings shall be conducted on the record and the defendant be advised that the hearing is being audio recorded, and the court shall advise the defendant in writing of its decision and any penalty imposed.

[Adopted as JTIR effective January 1, 1981. Changed from JTIR to IRLJ effective September 1, 1992; amended effective September 1, 1997; January 3, 2006; September 1, 2017.]