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Administrative Citations
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION PROGRAM
The City of Lancaster’s Administrative Citation Program is a non-criminal approach that uses fines instead of arrest, incarceration, and criminal records for people who violate the Lancaster Municipal Code. Citations are issued by officers within the City’s Department of Public Safety and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The program aims to find balance between ensuring the community’s safety by deterring violations of the Code through fines and community service and preventing future violations by referring chronic violators to social service and education resources.
Review the City’s Administrative Citation Program Policies and Procedures
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I’VE BEEN ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION?
You should either:
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Pay the citation;
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Request an Initial Review if you believe you should not have received the Administrative Citation;
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Request to perform Community Service or participate in a social service or education program; OR
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Complete and submit a Financial Hardship Waiver Request if you cannot afford to pay the Administrative Citation penalty.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO PAY THE FINE?
Payment must be made within sixty (60) days of being issued the citation. You may pay the citation fine:
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In person at the City Hall counter; OR
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Over the phone by calling (661) 723-6033 (credit card payments only)
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By mailing a check or money order to:
City of Lancaster
c/o Administrative Citation Program
44933 Fern Avenue
Lancaster, CA 93534
Include the citation number on the memo line and make the check payable to the City of Lancaster.
ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT OPTIONS?
If you are unable to pay the citation in full or part due to financial hardship, please complete and submit a Financial Hardship Waiver Request application before the citation is due. The form may be found by clicking the link below, at the Public Safety Department, or at the City Hall counter.
To qualify for a Financial Hardship Waiver, you must complete and submit the Financial Hardship Waiver Request application and provide supporting documentation. Depending on your circumstances, the reviewing officer may offer you a reduced fine, payment plan, or the option to complete community service.
MAY I CHOOSE TO PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE?
Regardless of your ability to pay, you may elect to perform community service or participate in a City-approved social service or education program. If you would like to perform community service or participate in a City-approved social service in lieu of paying the fine, please complete and submit as Request to Perform Community Service form. The form may be found by clicking on the link below, at the Public Safety Department, or at the City Hall counter.
Request to Perform Community Service
WHAT HAPPENS IF A FINE IS NOT PAID?
Failure to pay the penalty assessed within the timeframe specified on the citation shall result in the assessment of an additional late fee of $30 per administrative citation. The failure to pay a penalty assessed by an administrative citation within the time specified on the citation constitutes a debt to the City. To enforce the debt, the City may file a civil action, impose a special assessment, or pursue any other legal remedy to collect such money.
CAN A CITATION BE CONTESTED?
To ensure due process, all cited persons are offered an opportunity for an Initial Review of their citation. There is no cost for the Initial Review.
To request an Initial Review, submit a Request for Initial Review form within fourteen (14) days of receiving the administrative citation. The form may be found by clicking the link below, at the Public Safety Department, or at the City Hall counter.
The City Clerk’s Office will review the citation, along with any supporting materials provided and determine its validity.
You will be notified by mail of the outcome of the Initial Review within 90 days.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE RESULTS OF THE INITIAL REVIEW?
If a determination has been made during the Initial Review that the citation is valid, you may request an Administrative Hearing. The Administrative Hearing must be requested within fourteen (14) days from the mailing of your Initial Review Outcome Notice. The form may be found by clicking the link below, at the Public Safety Department, or at the City Hall counter.
To schedule the Administrative Hearing, a deposit is required in the amount of the Administrative Citation fine, UNLESS you are granted an Advanced Deposit Fine Waiver.
WHAT IF I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE ADVANCE FINE DEPOSIT?
If you would like to request an Administrative Hearing and are unable to pay the deposit, you should submit a Financial Hardship Waiver Request form along with a Request for Administrative Hearing form. The form may be found by clicking the link below, at the Public Safety Department, or at the City Hall counter.
The Advance Deposit Fine Waiver does not cancel the citation or the fine, but it allows the Administrative Hearing to take place without the cited person having to pre-pay the fine deposit. If you request an Advance Deposit Fine Waiver, the Administrative Hearing Officer will also consider your ability to pay the fine during the hearing. You do not need to re-submit the form if you also are requesting an Ability-to-Pay-Determination.
WHAT IS THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING PROCESS?
The cited person shall be provided with adequate notice and an opportunity for an impartial hearing before an Administrative Hearing Officer. Prior to the Administrative Hearing you may wish to submit and review the following:
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Submit a written reason for contesting the Administrative Citation and include ALL evidence to support your case.
Evidence may include records, receipts, documents, photographs, and/or witness statements.
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Be sure to make copies for your records of anything you submit because the City will keep the evidence you submit.
The Administrative Citation Program Policies & Procedures governing the administrative hearing process are available online, at the Public Safety Department, by request at the City Hall counter, or by calling (661) 723-6020.
You will receive a written notice regarding the Administrative Hearing Officer’s determination within fourteen (14) days after the hearing. If the citation is dismissed, the city shall refund the amount of the citation deposit within thirty (30) days from the date of the decision.
WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING OFFICER’S DECISION?
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Administrative Hearing process, you may appeal the decision to the Los Angeles Superior Court. For more information on the Superior Court process, go to www.lasuperiorcourt.org.
WHAT IF I WOULD LIKE LEGAL ASSISTANCE WITH MY ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION?
The following resources may help you find an attorney to help with your citation:
Public Counsel – Consumer Rights and Economic Justice Project
610 S. Ardmore Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 385-2977 ext. 700
You may find more legal aid and non-profit agencies at https://www.LawHelpCA.org.
WHAT IF I HAVE A DISABILITY AND NEED A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION?
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
If you require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact:
Meg Watkins
ADA Compliance Coordinator
City of Lancaster
(661)723-6187
Services such as larger print copies of the Initial Review form or assistance in completing the Initial Review form are available. Please make your request at least 72 hours prior to any deadlines.
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION PROGRAM ONLINE FORMS
Administrative Citation Program Policies and Procedures
Request for an Administrative Hearing
ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION PROGRAM PDF FORMS
Request to Perform Community Service
Financial Hardship Waiver Request
Request for Administrative Hearing
CITACION ADMINISTRATIVA
SOLICITA REVISION INFORMAL
LA SOLICITUD DEBE SER RECIBIDA A MÁS TARDE DE LOS CATORCE (14) DÍAS CALENDARIOS A PARTIR DE LA FECHA EN QUE SE EMITIÓ LA CITACIÓN
Para impugnar una citación
Si cree que no es la persona responsable de la infracción o si existen circunstancias atenuantes, puede solicitar una revisión inicial presentando una solicitud por escrito. Utilice el formulario de "Solicitud de revisión inicial" disponible en el Departamento de Seguridad Pública en el Ayuntamiento, 44933 Fern Avenue, o baje el formulario de "Solicitud de revisión inicial" aquí. Su solicitud por escrito debe proporcionar una explicación de por qué cree que la citación no debería haberse emitido, incluir el número de citación (o una copia de la citación), un número de teléfono, dirección postal, y si está disponible, una dirección de correo electrónico, y debe ser firmado. Se deben adjuntar copias de cualquier evidencia documental que desee ser considerada.
Para recibir una revisión de su capacidad financiera para pagar la citación:
Si cree que no puede pagar el monto de la citación en un solo pago, puede solicitar una revisión inicial de su capacidad de pago presentando una solicitud por escrito. Utilice el formulario de "Solicitud de revisión inicial" mencionado anteriormente. Su solicitud por escrito debe incluir el número de citación (o una copia de la citación), un número de teléfono, dirección postal y, si está disponible, una dirección de correo electrónico, y debe estar firmada. Debe incluir que debe incluir una lista de propiedades personales reales y tangibles y su valor, los ingresos mensuales, incluidos los beneficios federales y / o estatales, y todas las obligaciones financieras mensuales. Proporcione el nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono de su empleador. Proporcione una copia de su declaración federal de impuestos sobre la renta más reciente.
Envíe la solicitud y todos los anexos al Departamento de Seguridad Pública de la ciudad de Lancaster. Puede entregarlo en 44933 Fern Avenue, Lancaster CA 93534, enviarlo por correo a la misma dirección, o enviarlo por correo electrónico a PublicSafety@cityoflancasterca.gov. Las solicitudes deben recibirse a más tardar catorce (14) días calendarios a partir de la fecha en que se emitió la citación. No presentar una solicitud dentro de este tiempo constituye una renuncia a su derecho a apelar y la citación es definitiva y vinculante.
REVISION INICIAL:
Un oficial de revisión revisará la citación y los datos de respaldo, y su formulario de solicitud y cualquier documento que envíe. El Oficial de Revisión tiene noventa (90) días para llevar a cabo la revisión y tomar una decisión sobre si la citación se emitió de manera apropiada o debería ser desestimada y / o si la persona citada tiene la capacidad de pagar el monto de la citación en un solo pago. Se le notificará de la (s) decisión (es) por escrito y / o mediante comunicación por correo electrónico dentro de este período de tiempo y, a menos que se desestime la citación, se le proporcionará información detallada sobre otras acciones administrativas que pueda tomar.