37-1-146 - Juvenile traffic offenders.

37-1-146. Juvenile traffic offenders.

(a)  All cases of alleged traffic violations by children coming within the provisions of this part shall be heard and disposed of upon a traffic ticket or citation signed by a law enforcement officer that describes in general terms the nature of the violation. Such cases may be disposed of nonjudicially under the supervision of the judge; in any case, however, the child or the child's parents may request and shall be granted a hearing before the judge.

(b)  If the court finds that the child violated a traffic law or ordinance, the court may decree the child to be a traffic violator, and, in addition to any disposition provided for in this part for the disposition of a delinquent or unruly child, the judge may make one (1) or any combination of the following decisions:

     (1)  Suspend and hold the child's driver license for a specified or indefinite time;

     (2)  Limit the child's driving privileges as an order of the court;

     (3)  Order the child to attend traffic school, if available, or to receive driving instructions; or

     (4)  Impose a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00).

(c)  In any case or class of cases the judge of any juvenile court may waive jurisdiction of traffic violators who are sixteen (16) years of age or older, and such cases shall be heard by the court or courts having jurisdiction of adult traffic violations, or the child may pay the stipulated fine to a traffic bureau.

[Acts 1970, ch. 600, § 45; T.C.A., § 37-245.]