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Article III. Proceedings of Court
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(A) An action to prosecute a civil or criminal violation of a provision of this Code may be commenced by issuing an Arizona Uniform Traffic Ticket and Complaint (“ticket and complaint”) or by filing a summons and complaint in the magistrate court. Upon determining that probable cause exists to believe that a defendant has committed or is responsible for a violation of this Code, the city manager, his authorized representative or any peace officer may issue a ticket and complaint or summons and complaint and serve the defendant as provided in this chapter.

(B) The ticket and complaint shall direct the defendant to appear in magistrate court within thirty (30) days after its issuance.

(C) Service of the ticket and complaint or of a summons and complaint may be accomplished by the following methods:

(1) In the case of both civil and criminal violations:

(a) By having the defendant sign the ticket and complaint with a promise to appear in court within thirty (30) days (no less than five (5), not more than thirty (30)) of the issuance of the ticket and complaint;

(b) By hand delivering a copy of the ticket and complaint or the summons and complaint to the defendant;

(c) By mailing a copy of the ticket and complaint or of the summons and complaint to the defendant certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, at his or her last known address. Service is complete upon filing the receipt with the court.

(2) In the case of a civil violation only, by any means allowed by the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure for the service of a summons.

(3) In the case of a criminal violation only, by any means allowed by the Arizona Rules of Criminal Procedure for the service of a summons. (Ord. No. 2003-15, §§ 1, 2, 11-4-03. 1976 Code § 5-3-1)