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HEARING - Consider the introduction (First Reading) of an amendment to Section 1.24.010 of Chapter 1.24 of Title 1 of the El Dorado County Ordinance Code pertaining to criminal penalties for violations of the County Ordinance Code; and, recommending this amendment be continued to Tuesday, March 23, 2010 for final adoption. (Est. Time: 5 Min.)
Ordinance 4943
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: None
Background: The District Attorney has requested that the Board amend the County Ordinance Code to give prosecutorial discretion to the District Attorney to charge violations as either infractions or misdemeanors. The District Attorney reports that having all ordinance code violations charged as misdemeanors is inefficient because all misdemeanants are entitled to a jury trial whereas the penalties for infractions are only monetary and hence no jury trials are required. The amendment as proposed by the District Attorney allows an offense to be charged either as a misdemeanor or an infraction within the discretion of the District Attorney.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Board Chair to schedule the adoption of the approval of the ordinance for one week from this meeting.
Contact: Edward L. Knapp