§4878. Reciprocal enforcement of traffic offenses in contiguous parishes

A. The provisions of this Section shall apply only to contiguous parishes. For the purposes of this Section, contiguous parishes are parishes which share a common boundary.

B. Parish governing authorities may enter into reciprocal agreements for the enforcement of traffic ordinances of the parishes or of the municipalities within the parishes. The agreement may include provisions relating to service of citation; personal jurisdiction; issuance of bench and arrest warrants; enforcement of judgments, warrants, and orders, and any other matters relating to enforcement of traffic ordinances.

C. In the absence of an agreement as authorized in Subsection B herein, the following provisions shall apply:

(1) The governing authority of a parish may provide by ordinance for the service of citation on residents of contiguous parishes who have allegedly violated a traffic ordinance of the parish adopting the ordinance or of a municipality within that parish. The service of citation shall be by registered mail, return receipt requested. Proof of such service shall be deemed service sufficient to establish personal jurisdiction over the alleged offender in any court which has subject matter jurisdiction over the offense.

(2) A court which obtains jurisdiction over a defendant as provided herein may issue a bench warrant for a defendant who fails to appear in court at the time stated in the citation.

(3) A bench warrant, judgment, or order of a court which obtains jurisdiction over a defendant as provided herein may be enforced in any manner not inconsistent with the constitution or laws of this state.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 725, §1.