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.Neighborhood Nuisance Handbook Page 8 of 1 7 When an inspector or a police officer issues a "tag" to someone for violating a City ordinance, that person is charged with a criminal violation. A tag is similar to a parking ticket; it is not the same as a written inspector's order - which is a warning that if the violation is not corrected, a tag will be issued. Most nuisance violations are misdemeanors or petty misdemeanors, a few may be gross misdemeanors or rarely felonies. For most tags, a person pleading guilty can come to the Traffic Violations Bureau (Room 150 City Hall/Court House Building) and pay the fine, just as they would for parking or traffic ticket. Some violations require a court appearance. Any person who receives a tag can request a court appearance either to plead not guilty or to explain mitigating circumstances to the court. If a person receiving a tag pleads not guilty, the person is presumed innocent and the prosecutor has to prove the person guilty of the violation beyond a reasonable doubt. If the judge or jury finds the person guilty, the judge many levy a fine or sentence the person to a short jail sentence. The judge may require the person to correct the violation - if it is a housing code violation or other violation which can be corrected. However, there is no requirement that the judge do so. The role of the criminal justice system is primarily to punish offenders, not to improve property. There is a separate Housing Court which deals exclusively with housing issues. If a person receives a tag and does not respond, a warrant can be issued for the person's arrest by the county sheriff. If you know that a tag has been issued for a violation and want to know the status of your complaint, call the City department involved. However, if the violation is in the criminal justice system, the City department may not be able to tell you its status. There is no requirement that the courts inform a complainant about the status or disposition of a misdemeanor violation. However, the Housing Court office has a computer terminal which may be viewed by the public on final dispositions of orders, etc. CURFEW, MINORS Unaccompanied minors under the age of fifteen are not allowed to loiter or play on or in public places from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. daily Unaccompanied minors over fifteen and under eighteen are restricted from public places from 12:01 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. daily. It is unlawful for parents, guardians or other adults having charge over a minor to allow or permit that minor to violate curfew. Call the police to report violations (291-1111). DISORDERLY HOUSE A disorderly house is defined as any building, dwelling, place, establishment, or premises where there are violations of City ordinances or state laws concerning the sale of liquor or 3.2 beer, gambling, prostitution, solicitation to vice, lewd or indecent behavior, or the sale or use of drugs. Such establishments can be considered a public nuisance and dealt with under those ordinances. Complaints should be directed to the Police Department (291-1111) to make them aware of the problem and to establish a record of complaints for presentation as evidence. Residents can also use the petition process to bring the nuisance to the attention of the City Council for action (see PUBLIC NUISANCE). DOGS Dogs in Saint Paul must: Be licensed annually and have up-to-date rabies shots. A one-time lifetime license is available for an animal which has been implanted with a microchip. Be leashed (6 foot or shorter leash) or confined http://www.stpaul.gov/councillhandbook.html 07/06/1999