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City Court

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1. What if I want to pay my ticket before my court date?

Payment must reach us prior to your court date unless you will be appearing in court. You do not need to pre-pay if you're going to appear in court. Payments to the City of Berry Hill, 698 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204 are now accepted by credit card, debit card, check, cash, money order or cashier's check. Fines are listed on the back of your citation. You must pay the fine PLUS the $50.00 court cost & $13.75 bond forfeiture fee per ticket (not per charge) in costs/fees if you pay prior to your court date.  Call us at 615/292-5531 if you have any questions about the amount. If you mail payment, make sure we have your name & correct address to send a receipt, which only will be sent to you if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your payment. (Do not mail cash, for your protection.) For an illegal parking or illegal parking in a handicapped space, you would NOT pay the $63.75 costs per ticket--just the appropriate fine and a $1 fee for the State. The fine for an adult seatbelt offense is now $30 for the first offense and $50 for the second offense. Those with seatbelt offense citations would not pay a court cost/cash bond forfeiture fee on that offense if the ticket were paid prior to the court date. There would be one court cost/cash bond forfeiture fee ($63.75) for child restraint offenses, for which the fine would be $50.00. STARTING WITH CITATIONS WRITTEN FOR THE DECEMBER 2019 COURT, THE COURT COST WAS INCREASED TO $50, WHILE THE BOND FORFEITURE FEE WOULD STILL BE $13.75; SO FOR FINES PAID BEFORE COURT, THE FINES PLUS $63.75 WOULD BE DUE BEFORE YOUR COURT DATE IF YOU WSH TO SATISFY YOUR CITATION PRIOR TO YOUR COURT DATE INSTEAD OF  APPEARING IN COURT. IF TICKET IS FOR SPEEDING NON-RADAR, THE $25.00 BERRY HILL FINE, AS WELL AS THE $63.75 COSTS WOULD BE DUE.  IF TICKET IS FOR SPEEDING/RADAR, THE FINE WILL BE $2 PER MILE ABOVE SPEED LIMIT  WITH A $50 MAXIMUM FINE FOR THAT CHARGE  PLUS THE $63.75 COSTS AND THE NORMAL FINES FOR ANY OTHER CHARGES ON THE CITATION.

2. What if I miss my court date and don't pay my ticket before the court date?

You will then be reported to the TN Dept of Safety & Homeland Security as guilty of that offense, and the appropriate fine and court cost/litigation fee would apply. You will then be scheduled to appear at the next court date if you would like to have an indigency hearing. The Judge must hear the request for a ruling of indigency in Open Court and make his determination then. If you do not appear in court then or comply with the Judge’s ruling, an electronic Court Action Report will be sent to the TN Dept of Safety and Homeland Security to initiate suspension of your driver’s license. When you pay The City of Berry Hill (by cash, check, credit card, debit card, cashier's check or money order) the full amount due to Berry Hill, we will give you paperwork to take to the Dept of Safety to show them you have taken care of your Berry Hill citation. The amount due to Berry Hill must be paid before your license can be reinstated. This is reciprocal in all other states.

Let us know if you will need to schedule a payment plan, which would be allowed for up to three payments over a total period of up to three months. You should notify of this request as soon as possible and comply with the payment plan in order to avoid suspension of your driver's license.

3. If I'm assigned to traffic school by your court, when do you need my receipt/certificate of attendance?

We need to receive proof--your original certificate of attendance-- that you attended a Tennessee-approved traffic school before our next court date. We will inform you of the date when you receive traffic school information from us (upon your payment of the Judge-ordered costs to Berry Hill). Berry Hill does not have its own traffic school, so we will give you information about several approved options, most of which offer online schools. We cannot accept a copy or an emailed or faxed certificate--only the original certificate (except from two schools that will email the certificate directly to us at your direction, and we will notify you of those two schools.).This is very important. If we do not receive this by the deadline date, it will revert to a Guilty determination, you will owe the original fine for the offense (as well as the court cost & litigation fee if you did not already pay that), and you will be reported as Guilty to the TN Dept of Safety & Homeland Security. You may appear in Open Court at the next court date to request an indigency hearing in front of our Judge. If you do not appear then and comply with the Judge’s ruling, a Court Action Report will be sent to the TN Dept of Safety & Homeland Security to initiate suspension of your license. (This is reciprocal in other states, so any out-of-state driver’s licenses also would be suspended.) If you need a payment plan, please request the Court Clerk to arrange the plan while you're at court and the Judge has assigned you to traffic school.

4. Do you take credit cards or checks for payment?

Yes. We have begun accepting checks. We also now accept major credit card and debit cards for payments called in to our office or for in person-payments at our office, but not if by mail or e-mail.  If you mail your payment to us, please send a money order, check or cashiers check.  Do not send cash through the mail. Be sure to write your name and citation number on your check, money order or cashier’s check so we can credit it properly. If you mail payment and want a receipt, you should enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope with your payment.

5. When should I arrive for court on my court day?

You should be here (City Hall, 698 Thompson Lane) no later than 2:15 p.m. on your court day to sign in. Court begins promptly at 2:30 p.m. 

Because of COVID-19 precautions and regulations, you must wear a mask while you are in City Hall. We will check your temperature and have you fill out a COVID-19 questionnaire before you enter the courtroom. Only 10 defendants will be allowed in the courtroom (seated with the required social distance between each chair) at one time. After signing in and having the temperature check and answering the COVID questionnaire, the other defendants should wait in their vehicles or outside City Hall (keeping social distance) until we call their cell phone numbers to let them know they may enter the courtroom. This will remain in effect until further notice.

6. If I got a ticket for my vehicle's lights not working, what can I do?

Have any necessary repairs done so your lights are working, then bring your car to show us that your lights are working prior to your court date. If you do this, we will give you a repair receipt and you will not owe a fine or costs on this charge. You cannot do this after your court date.

7. Where's your traffic court located?

In Berry Hill City Hall in the blueish-grey building that says "City of Berry Hill" at 698 Thompson Lane (across from the Pepsi plant, in between Calypso Cafe and Woodlawn Cemetery). There is a large statue of a bear in front of our building. We’re only a couple blocks from 100 Oaks Mall and are located at the corner of Thompson Lane and East Iris Drive. You are welcome to park in our free parking lot on East Iris Drive next to our building.

8. What if I can't go to traffic court on my assigned day?

We are allowed to change your court date once, upon your request, if we are notified in advance that you need to change the date. Call 615/292-5531 to reschedule your court date. Do not call us to reschedule after court has begun. We cannot reschedule if you MISS your court date, so please notify us in advance if tit’s necessary for you to reschedule from your original court date. Remember, we can only reschedule it once at your request. 

9. May I talk to the Judge before court about my citation?

No. You only may talk to the Judge about your citation during your appearance in open court on your assigned court day.

10. If I can't pay for my fines and court costs, should I come to court?

Yes, be sure to come to court as scheduled. When you’re appearing before the judge, ask the judge for additional time to pay. Normally, payment is due in full on your court day, but the judge will give you extra time (up to a three-month payment plan) to pay if requested.  If you want to apply for Indigency status, come by Berry Hill City Hall at least a week prior to your court date to pick up a Request for an Indigency ruling, then bring the completed form and any documentation with you to court on your scheduled court date so the Judge may rule on it in open court when he hears the case on your citation..

11. Can the Court accomodate non-English speakers?

Yes, translation services are provided by Language Line Services over a speakerphone in the courtroom. The City’s Limited English Proficiency Procedure may be downloaded on our website.

here.

12. Do you have payment plans for court fines and costs?

You may request a payment plan  on your scheduled court date. The Judge will approve up to a three-month payment plan. Also, you could come by City Hall at least a week prior to your court date and pick up a form requesting a hearing on Indigency to be held on your court date if you qualify. This form should be filled out completely and brought to court with you, along with all supporting documentation. If you have questions about this, call Michelle Honick at 65/292-5531.

13. How do I apply for an indigency hearing in your court?

Come in to Berry Hill City Hall at least a week in advance of your scheduled court date in order to pick up the forms you’ll need to fill out for the indigency hearing on your scheduled court date. You will have to fill out the forms completely and bring them to court with you, along with all supporting documentation, on your court date for the Judge to review. He cannot approve them before court or by phone--just in open court. It is up to the Judge if Indigency will be granted after he reviews the paperwork. If the Judge finds you do not qualify for indigency, you may request a payment plan of up to three months during your court appearance.

We are located at 698 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN 37204-- across from the Pepsi plant and in between Woodlawn Cemetery and Calypso Cafe. There’s a large statue of a bear in front of City Hall. City Hall is open from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (except on holidays). Court is held in the City Hall building. There is a parking lot next to our building with free parking.

14. What are the fines for traffic offenses (MOVING VIOLATIONS)?

FINES FOR MOVING VIOLATIONS:

• Careless Driving  $50.00
• Failure to Obey Stop Sign or Traffic Light or Officer   $50.00
• Failure to Yield for Emergency Vehicle   $50.00
• Speeding (Radar)   $2.00 per mile over the speed limit (up to $50.00)
• Speeding (Non-Radar)   $25.00 
• Driver's License Not on Person  $25.00
• Failure to Stop for Train Crossing Signal   $50.00
• Passing Stopped School Bus  $50.00
• Texting While Driving/Handheld Devices Law (eff. for citations written after 7/1/2019)  $50.00 plus $10.00 Court Cost (no Litigation Fee for this offense; only the fine plus the $10.00 Court Cost)
• Texting While Driving (for citations written prior to 7/1/2019) $50.00 plus $10.00 Court Cost 
• Other Moving Violations   $40.00
• REMEMBER YOU WILL ALSO HAVE COURT COSTS AND EITHER BOND FORFEITURE FEES OR LITIGATION FEES DUE ALONG WITH YOUR FINES.

15. What are the fines for traffic offenses (NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS)?

FINES FOR NON-MOVING VIOLATIONS:

• Child Restraint Violation (under 16-years-old)  $50.00
• Seat Belt Violation (16-years-old or older)   $30.00 for first offense; $50.00 for second offense (No court cost or bond forefeiture/litigation fees due on this charge.)
• Illegal Parking in a Handicapped Space or next to a Fire Hydrant or in a Fire Lane  $50.00 fine plus $1.00 state fee (No court cost or bond forfeiture/litigation fees due on this charge.)
• Other Illegal Parking  $25.00 fine plus $1.00 state fee (No court cost or bond forfeiture/litigation fees due on this charge.) .
• Registration Law or Expired License Plate or Vehicle Equipment Violation   $25.00
• Unauthorized Use of Disabled (Handicapped) Placard   $50.00  
• Improper Windshield Tint   $40.00
• Littering or Spill in the Street   $50.00
• Loud Noise or Loud Music   $40.00
• Blinding Fog Lights   $20.00
• Obscene Sticker Violation   $40.00
• Visual Correction Required   $40.00
• Other Non-Moving Offenses (except Financial Responsibility)   $25.00
• FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CHARGE: If you had financial responsibility but did not have proof of coverage on you when stopped, give us a copy by your court date of your insurance card or the policy’s page showing you had coverage at the time of the citation--then there will be no fine on that charge. If you obtain coverage after your citation date, bring us a copy by your court date of your insurance card or the policy’s page showing you obtained coverage--then there will be a $30.00 fine. If you have not obtained financial responsibility by your court date and come to court, the Judge will determine your fine (no more than a $50.00 fine). If you do not give the Court proof of financial responsibility and do not appear in Court on your scheduled court date, the fine will be $50.00.

16. What are the Court Costs, Litigation Fee, and Cash Bond Forfeiture Fee?

For tickets written for court dates prior to the December 20, 2019 court date, the Court Cost of $25.00 was applied to each ticket (not each offense) if you paid prior to your court date. If you came to Court prior to December 20, 2019, the Judge could have charged a $25.00 Court Cost per offense, if he so ruled. If you Failed to Appear in Court, you will be charged a Court Cost  per offense. The Court Cost is charged to help pay for the costs of citations going through the Court system, with $1.00 of each Court Cost going to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. NOTE: Berry Hill’s Board of Commissioners voted to raise the Court Cost to $50.00 (from $25.00). It went into effect for citations listing the new Court Cost on the back of the citations, and that began with citations written for the December 20, 2019 court date.

The Cash Bond Forfeiture Cost of $13.75 is applied to each ticket (not each offense) if the citation is paid for prior to Court. It is not charged on citations that are heard in Court or on those whose defendants fail to appear in court. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the Cash Bond Forfeiture fees go to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), with other five percent (5%) going to help pay for the costs of citations going through the Court System.

The Litigation Fee of $13.75 may be applied to each offense, as the Judge so determines, for citations heard in Court or for citations whose defendants fail to appear in Court. It would not be charged for citations paid for before court. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of these fees go to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, with two percent (2%) going to help pay for the costs of citations going through the Court system.

As with the fines paid to our Court, all Court Costs, Cash Bond Forfeitures and Litigation Fees may be paid by cash, check, cashier’s check, credit card, debit card or money order to The City of Berry Hill.

17. What precautions are you taking regarding the Coronavirus?

Everyone must wear a mask and keep the recommended social distance  away from others while in Berry Hill City. We have masks available if you do not have your own mask. We have an ample supply of hand sanitizer available, as well as restrooms with soap. When signing in for Municipal Court, your temperature will be taken. Then you must complete a "COVID Questionnaire" before you are allowed to enter the courtroom. Only ten defendants (or defendants and attorneys, if applicable) will be allowed in the courtroom at one time. We will get your cell phone number and call you when it’s your turn to come in and be seated, if you’re not in the first group of ten.

NOTE: There have been a few months during the COVID crisis when the Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that in-person courts should not be held but should be continued to a later month to prevent the spread of the virus. When that happens, we mail notices of the new court date to each defendant. If you have moved but your former address is on your citation, please call us prior to the court date at the bottom of your citation to make sure of the correct court date and give us your current contact information in case of any further continuance required by the State. (If your address is incorrect on your citation and your mail is not being forwarded to your new address, your notice is returned to us by the post office and we have no way of contacting you.)