§ 17.27.060. Citations.

Whenever the enforcement official determines that administrative effort to correct violations of this title would be, or has been useless or ineffective, he may cause criminal proceedings to be initiated for such violation of criminal complaints. The enforcement official has the authority to issue and serve a citation when the violation is committed in his presence, or to directly file a citation in court if a person refuses to sign a promise to appear or, if upon investigation, he has reasonable cause to believe that a person or persons has committed a violation of this title. Such citations shall be on forms prescribed or approved by the administrator for the courts of the state of Washington. The enforcement official is granted the authority to directly file such citations with the city of Union Gap municipal court which filing shall constitute a lawful complaint for initiating a criminal charge for violation of this title. The court shall issue process for the attendance of the person charged, as otherwise allowed or prescribed by law or court rule. It shall be the responsibility of the prosecuting authority of the city to prosecute such cases in the name of the city.

(Ord. 2274 § 1 (part), 2000)