Urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass legislation authorizing the Philadelphia Traffic Court to order community service in lieu of full fines and costs to a defendant who upon plea and proof demonstrates that he or she is without the financial means to pay the full fine and costs imposed for a summary violation.

WHEREAS, Many residents of the City of Philadelphia are experiencing economic difficulties and are financially challenged to satisfy court imposed fines; and

WHEREAS, Fines are increased and penalties imposed, including suspension of driving privileges, when violators do not pay their penalties in time; and

WHEREAS, With no alternative to satisfying court imposed fines, an alarmingly high amount of residents are driving with suspended licenses and without car insurance; and

WHEREAS, The resulting unlawful behavior raises insurance rates for all City drivers and taxes the resources of the Philadelphia Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Community service would be beneficial to the driver in that it would provide an alternative means for satisfying court imposed sanctions; and

WHEREAS, The community in general and the organization which the driver must serve will benefit from an increase in personnel to fulfill its mission; and

WHEREAS, Through this initiative the City of Philadelphia will generate otherwise unattainable revenue from unlawful drivers who have come forward to clear their records; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That this legislative body urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass legislation authorizing Philadelphia Traffic Court to order community service in lieu of full fines and costs to a defendant who upon plea and proof demonstrates that he or she is without the financial means to pay the full fine and costs imposed for a summary violation, and be it

FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk shall forward a copy of this Resolution to the leadership of the Pennsylvania General Assembly for their consideration.

End

JUAN F. RAMOS

COUNCILMAN AT-LARGE

APRIL 15, 2004