Will create alternative means of accountability, prevent issuance of warrants for unpaid parking tickets, non-moving violations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Sixth District At-Large Councilwoman Andrea Bough today applauded passage of their ordinance to establish a Kansas City Administrative Tribunal for parking tickets and other non-violent city ordinance violations.

“An unpaid parking ticket or non-moving violation should never result in incarceration, and I am proud that today we continue our work toward a more just legal system for our community,” said Mayor Lucas. “Real reform means creating an alternative means of accountability for violations that previously resulted in incarceration—and rejecting overly punitive measures that disproportionately harm poor Kansas Citians. I appreciate Councilwoman Bough’s partnership in this important work.”

“As a lawyer, I am fully aware of inequities in the judicial process for those not able to have legal representation to avoid incarceration and a criminal record for minor offenses and violations,” said Councilwoman Bough. “This initiative is geared to provide an alternate administrative system that does not impose criminal consequences for minor violations.”

The ordinance, 200677, passed the City Council on a 10-2 vote and will become effective October 15.

# # #