State Senator Chap Petersen's electronic summons system bill approved by Senate

From the Office of State Senator Petersen

February 15, 2010

CONTACT: Julia Kim
804-698-7534

Richmond, Virginia - February 15, 2010 - Sen. Chap Petersen's electronic summons system legislation, Senate Bill 124, was approved (31-9) by the Virginia Senate on Monday.

Senate Bill 124, which was suggested by the Clerk of the General District Court of Fairfax County, allows localities to assess a fee not to exceed $3 as part of the costs in criminal and traffic cases to be used solely to fund an electronic summons system. If implemented by a locality, the electronic summons system will allow police officers to issue a digital summons for misdemeanor and traffic violations.

The information will then be uploaded to the General District Court for its use in setting its criminal and traffic docket.

"The system will use technology to cut down on time and money currently wasted in a system where we input data manually," said Petersen.

The House of Delegates will vote on Senate Bill 124 in the coming weeks.

Sen. Chap Petersen serves Virginia's 34th State Senate district, which includes Fairfax City and much of Fairfax County.

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