A. A person served with a civil complaint shall appear at the time and place stated in the summons, or may appear prior to that time, and upon the directions contained in the summons, and admit or deny the allegations of the complaint. Allegations not denied at the time of appearance are deemed admitted.

B. If the allegations are admitted, the court shall enter judgment for the City and impose a civil sanction.

C. If the person denies the allegations of the complaint, the court shall set the matter for hearing. Civil hearings are informal and held without a jury, and the City is required to prove the violation charged by a preponderance of the evidence. Technical rules of evidence do not apply, except for statutory provisions relating to privileged communications. If the person elects to be represented by counsel, the person shall so notify the court at least ten days prior to the hearing date. Hearings may be recorded. If the court finds in favor of the person, the court shall enter an order dismissing the complaint. If the court finds in favor of the City, the court shall enter judgment for the City and impose a civil sanction.

D. If the person served with a civil complaint fails to appear on or before the time directed to appear or at the time set for hearing by the court, the allegations in the complaint shall be deemed admitted and the court shall enter judgment for the City and impose a civil sanction. (Ord. No. G-3706, § 9)