MONDAY, August 31, 2026|
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials eliminated jail time for all municipal violations.
As reported by Toga Radio, back in April, Saratoga Mayor Chuck Davis announced that a resident had requested legal representation for an upcoming municipal court case and noted that the town is responsible for providing the defense attorney. Mayor Davis said the town’s prosecuting attorney, Robert Piper, estimated the cost of a public defender at roughly $75 an hour, while Municipal Judge Daniel Massey put it closer to $150. The mayor said the town was obligated to provide legal counsel regardless of the final price.
To prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future, Saratoga Police Chief John Moore created Ordinance 893, which limits municipal violations to a maximum $750 fine. Chief Moore said that without the threat of jail time, there is no need for a jury trial or for the town to provide an attorney.
Chief Moore added that the municipal judge may still order jail time for warrants and contempt of court.
Like all changes to municipal law, Ordinance 893 was required to be read and passed three times during three separate public hearings. Chief Moore read the ordinance for the third and final time at the August 19th Saratoga Town Council meeting.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously passed Ordinance 893 for the final time, codifying the changes into law. Violations of municipal statutes no longer include the possibility of jail time, with fines now limited to $750 or less.
