Tennessee § 6-21-502 - Power to enforce ordinances.

§ 6-21-502. Power to enforce ordinances.

The city judge has the power and authority to: Impose fines, costs, and forfeitures, and punish by fine for violations of city ordinances; Preserve and enforce order in such city judge's court; Enforce the collection of all such fines, costs, and forfeitures imposed by such city judge; and In default of payment, or of good and sufficient security given for the payment of such fines, costs or forfeitures imposed by such city judge, if: The city court has concurrent jurisdiction with the general sessions court, the city judge is authorized to enter an order in accordance with § 40-24-104 which, in accordance with such section, may include imprisonment until the fine, costs or forfeitures, or any portion of it, is paid. No such imprisonment shall exceed the period of time established in § 40-24-104, for any one (1) offense or violation. The city court does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the general sessions court, the city judge is authorized to enter an order for contempt of court for the payment of the fine in the amount established pursuant to § 16-18-306. Fines may be paid in installments in the manner provided by ordinance or in accordance with § 40-24-104. Any court is authorized to enforce the collection of unpaid fines or forfeitures as a judgment in a civil action in any court with competent jurisdiction in accordance with § 40-24-105. The city judge may remit, with or without condition, fines and costs imposed for violation of any ordinance provision. The city judge may remit, with or without condition, fines and costs imposed for violation of any ordinance or charter provision. Acts 1921, ch. 173, art. 9, § 2; Shan. Supp., § 1997a165; Code 1932, § 3562; Acts 1965, ch. 330, § 2; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 6-2120; Acts 1989, ch. 175, § 15; 1995, ch. 13, § 12; 2011, ch. 453, § 8. Attorney General Opinions. A city judge does not have jurisdiction to dispose of criminal charges in exchange for voluntary contributions to the city court special fund from criminal defendants in lieu of the assessment of fines, penalties, or other disposition of proceedings, OAG 00-114, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 116 (6/20/00). City courts are limited to monetary penalties against a parent in enforcing curfew violations, OAG 00-158, 2000 Tenn. AG LEXIS 161 (10/17/00).