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Brighton council approves municipal code updates on right-of-way, restitution and contempt of court
Summary
Council approved amendments to Brighton Municipal Code articles related to right-of-way, restitution and contempt of court after debate about whether changes would exceed state law on failure-to-appear charges; City Attorney said the revisions do not exceed state law and remove an additional criminal charge for failure to appear.
Brighton City Council voted 7–1 Dec. 16 to amend portions of the municipal code governing right-of-way, restitution and contempt of court.
Council Member Green questioned whether the proposed contempt-of-court penalty language went beyond state law by treating failure to appear as a standalone charge. City Attorney Calderon replied that the city is not expanding state law: the change removes a separate criminal charge for failure to appear while retaining authority to issue warrants for nonappearance.
Council Member Fiddler moved the ordinance and Mayor Pro Tem Padilla seconded. Council approved the measure by roll call vote 7–1.
The ordinance revisions adjust municipal penalties and code structure; city staff and the attorney said the changes preserve accountability while aligning with state limitations on charging defendants for failure to appear. Councilmember Green’s questions prompted clarification from legal staff on timeline and hearing exemptions under criminal procedures.
