Procedure on ArrestsNotice of Violation

Section § 40600

Explanation

This law allows a peace officer who has completed specific training to issue a 'notice to appear' to someone involved in a traffic accident if there's reasonable cause to believe a traffic law was violated and contributed to the accident. This is not considered an arrest. The notice includes details like the person's name and address, vehicle license number, the alleged offense, and when and where to appear in court.

There must be at least a 10-day period before the court appearance date. A peace officer has 'reasonable cause' if evidence from their investigation would justify a notice, even if they didn't witness the accident firsthand. Also, the law defines 'peace officer' and confirms that courts must accept these notices if prepared correctly.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 40600(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a peace officer who has successfully completed a course or courses of instruction, approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, in the investigation of traffic accidents may prepare, in triplicate, on a form approved by the Judicial Council, a written notice to appear when the peace officer has reasonable cause to believe that any person involved in a traffic accident has violated a provision of this code not declared to be a felony or a local ordinance and the violation was a factor in the occurrence of the traffic accident.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 40600(b) A notice to appear shall contain the name and address of the person, the license number of the person’s vehicle, if any, the name and address, when available, of the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle, the offense charged, and the time and place when and where the person may appear in court or before a person authorized to receive a deposit of bail. The time specified shall be at least 10 days after the notice to appear is delivered.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 40600(c) The preparation and delivery of a notice to appear pursuant to this section is not an arrest.
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 40600(d) For purposes of this article, a peace officer has reasonable cause to issue a written notice to appear if, as a result of the officer’s investigation, the officer has evidence, either testimonial or real, or a combination of testimonial and real, that would be sufficient to issue a written notice to appear if the officer had personally witnessed the events investigated.
(e)CA Vehicle Code § 40600(e) As used in this section, “peace officer” means any person specified under Section 830.1 or 830.2 of the Penal Code, or any reserve police officer or reserve deputy sheriff listed in Section 830.6 of the Penal Code, with the exception of members of the California National Guard.
(f)CA Vehicle Code § 40600(f) A written notice to appear prepared on a form approved by the Judicial Council and issued pursuant to this section shall be accepted by any court.
peace officer training traffic accident investigation notice to appear ...

Section § 40604

Explanation

This law explains what needs to happen before issuing an arrest warrant if someone hasn't signed a promise to appear in court for a traffic violation. First, the person must be informed about the filing of the charges through a notice delivered personally or by mail. The notice includes details like the person's name and address, vehicle information, and what they're being charged with. They have 10 days from receiving this notice to go to court. If they don't show up, a warrant for their arrest can be issued after 15 days. Proof of how the notice was given must be recorded by someone over 18 years old. If the notice was mailed, the arrest warrant can't be issued for at least 14 days after mailing.

(a)CA Vehicle Code § 40604(a) If the person charged with the offense has not signed a promise to appear, no warrant for arrest may be issued following the filing of the written notice to appear issued pursuant to Section 40600, until 15 days after a notice of the filing has been served upon the person by personal delivery or by mail, addressed to the person at the address shown in the accident report.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 40604(b) The notice shall contain the name and address of the person, the license number of the vehicle involved, the name and address, when available, of the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle, the offense shown on the written notice to appear, and the approximate time of the commission of the offense. The notice shall inform the person that, unless he or she appears in the court designated in the notice within 10 days after the service of the notice and answers the charges, a warrant will be issued for his or her arrest.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 40604(c) Proof of service shall be made by the affidavit of any person over 18 years of age making the service showing the time, place, and manner of service and facts showing that the service was made in accordance with this section. If service is made by mail, no warrant for arrest may be issued until 14 days after the deposit of the notice of filing in the mail.
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