(a) The commissioner may execute a reciprocal compact or agreement not inconsistent with this part with the motor vehicle administrator or other authorized official of any other state concerning the appearance of a person licensed in one (1) state to answer a summons for a traffic violation issued by the other state.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 55-50-702

  • Administrator: means the federal motor carrier safety administrator, the chief executive of the federal motor carrier safety administration, an agency within the United States department of transportation. See Tennessee Code 55-50-102
  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Bail: Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
  • Commissioner: means the commissioner of safety. See Tennessee Code 55-50-701
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • License: means any operator's or chauffeur's permit or any other license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under the laws of a reciprocating state including:
    (A) Any temporary or learner's permit. See Tennessee Code 55-50-701
  • Motor vehicle: means a vehicle, low speed vehicle or medium speed vehicle as defined in this section, machine, tractor, trailer or semitrailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power used on highways or any other vehicle required to be registered under the laws of this state, but does not include any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer or semitrailer operated exclusively on a rail. See Tennessee Code 55-50-102
  • Person: means every natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation. See Tennessee Code 55-50-102
  • State: means the state of Tennessee. See Tennessee Code 55-50-701
  • Summons: Another word for subpoena used by the criminal justice system.
  • Traffic: means pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel. See Tennessee Code 55-8-101
  • Violation: means a conviction except as otherwise provided in §. See Tennessee Code 55-50-102
(b) The compact shall provide that if a person licensed by either state is issued a summons by the other state for a moving traffic violation covered by the compact or agreement, the person shall not be detained or required to furnish bail or collateral, and that if the person fails to appear in response to the summons, the person’s license may be suspended by the state that issued the license until the person submits to the jurisdiction of the court in which the summons is returnable.
(c) The compact shall also provide terms and procedures as are necessary and proper to facilitate its administration.
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