Athens City Code

When a police officer halts a traffic violator other than for the purpose of giving a warning and does not take such person into custody under arrest, he shall take the name, address, and operator's license number of the person, the license number of the motor vehicle involved, and such other pertinent information as may be necessary and shall issue to him a written traffic citation containing a notice to answer to the charge against him in the city court at a specified time. The officer, upon receiving the written promise of the alleged violator to answer as specified in the citation, shall release such person from custody.

(Code 1972, § 9-702; Code 1995, § 15-801)

It is unlawful for any person to violate his written promise to appear in court after giving the promise to an officer upon the issuance of a traffic citation, regardless of the disposition of the charge for which the citation was originally issued.

(Code 1972, § 9-703; Code 1995, § 15-802)

When any motor vehicle without a driver is found parked or stopped in violation of any of the restrictions imposed by this Code, the officer finding such vehicle shall take its license number and may take any other information displayed on the vehicle which may identify its user and shall conspicuously affix to such vehicle a citation for the driver and/or owner to answer for the violation within seven days during the hours and at a place specified in the citation.

(Code 1972, § 9-704; Code 1995, § 15-803)

Members of the police department are authorized to remove from the streets and impound any vehicle whose operator is arrested or any vehicle which is illegally parked or abandoned. Any vehicle left parked on any street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours without permission from the chief of police shall be presumed to have been abandoned if the owner cannot be located after a reasonable investigation.

(Code 1972, § 9-701; Code 1995, § 15-804)