Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) implemented a program this week that seeks to issue electronic citations instead of traditional paper ones, according to MPD’s public information Officer Kyle Evans. The process is more efficient and should save time for officers and offenders alike.

Officers not equipped with this technology will still issue traditional citations, Evans said. For those who are, the officer can download pertinent information like reports from NCIC and drivers license information then fill in additional information like the reason for the citation.

A printer installed in the patrol car will then print out  the citation.

Another city court pilot project should accommodate both those who have difficulty getting to daytime city court sessions and enable police officers who work at night to avoid having to wait until court convenes at 8:15 and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday.

The new sessions will be 7 p.m. on the second Thursday and fourth Tuesday of each month beginning at 7 p.m., according to Chief City Court Clerk Vickie Ordonez.

“City Council wanted us to look at expanding our current hours to make it easier for people who might not be able to get to court during the daytime,” Murfreesboro City Judge Ewing Sellers told members of Murfreesboro City Council during a recent meeting. “We looked at other cities to see what they do and came up with this recommendation …”

A requirement that cited persons must advise the court if they intend to be heard has been added to each new citation, Judge Sellers said.

 City council members had requested expanded hours to assist citizens who find it difficult and sometimes impossible to leave work to attend court during the day. 

“I think you’ve done a fantastic job on putting this together,” City Council member Shane McFarland told the judge just after his presentation at a recent council meeting. “I think it’s something we’ve seen over the last couple of years and from recommendations we’ve seen, for example a police officer who works from 10 to 7 in the morning and they have to hang around until 10 a.m.

“Some of these people are working 14 hours a day and then are waiting around for their court appearances – and that’s not to mention the overtime,” he continued. “I think this pilot program will demonstrate that we’re not only adding a service for citizens who have to take off work to come in during the day but also saving (taxpayer money).”