Council backs defensive-driving dismissal program on first reading with limits

Council passed Ordinance 706 on first reading to create a defensive-driving dismissal program that allows eligible defendants to have qualifying speeding charges dismissed upon court approval if they complete an approved defensive-driving course and pay a nonrefundable $150 town fee.

The town prosecutor said the program is intended to replace ad hoc case-by-case dismissals with a transparent process: participants would enter a plea held in abeyance, complete the approved course (court to maintain an approved program list), and show completion within 30 days unless the court extends for good cause. The prosecutor noted the $150 fee is paid to the town in addition to any course cost.

Councilors debated eligibility and limits. The council agreed the program should not be available for certain serious offenses (passing a school bus, hit-and-run, DUI, reckless driving) and revised the speed-threshold cap to 20 mph over the limit (reduced from an earlier 25 mph proposal). Council also discussed frequency (some members asked for a longer re-use interval) and settled on a proposal to set 24 months between eligible uses. The ordinance as revised passed first reading after members moved and seconded the motion.

The prosecutor said staff will prepare clarifying language (nonrefundable program fee, list of approved courses, and ineligible offenses) for subsequent readings and that administration will track program participation.