TUESDAY, August 11, 2026|
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Saratoga officials moved forward with an ordinance to remove jail time from all violations of town law.
At the April 1st Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis announced that a resident had requested legal representation for an upcoming municipal court case and said the town is responsible for providing the public defender.
Mayor Davis said the town’s prosecuting attorney, Robert Piper, estimated the cost of a public defender at around $75 an hour, while Municipal Judge Daniel Massey put the price closer to $150. The mayor said he wasn’t sure what the final rate would be, but the town must provide counsel regardless of the cost.
Mayor Davis said the defendant was charged under a municipal ordinance, which makes the town legally responsible for providing her with an attorney. Following the discussion, the Saratoga Town Council voted to hire an attorney for the upcoming bench trial, with a maximum rate of $150 an hour.
At the July 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, where Police Chief John Moore presented Ordinance 893. Chief Moore said the measure limits the penalty for violating municipal regulations to a fine, eliminating the need for a trial and therefore the need for the town to supply an attorney.
Chief Moore added that the municipal judge may still order jail time for contempt of court.
As with all changes to local law, Ordinance 893 must be read three times during three separate public hearings. As required by statute, Chief Moore read the updated ordinance, stating that the maximum penalty for municipal violations would be limited to a $750 fine.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve Ordinance 893 on first reading.
At the August 5th meeting, Police Chief John Moore presented the measure for a second time, saying municipal violations would no longer involve any possibility of jail time. However, the judge may still impose jail time for other offenses.
The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve Ordinance 893 on second reading. The third and final reading will take place during a future Council meeting.
