The text
For a violation of any of the provisions of chapter 6, animals, chapter 82, waterways, chapter 46, miscellaneous offenses, and chapter 34, housing, of this Code, a defendant desiring to dispose of the charge without personally appearing before the municipal court may sign the summons, where indicated, and return it to the municipal court not later than 30 days from the date of the summons either by mail or by delivery in person, together with a check or money order in the amount indicated on the summons; provided, however, that if the defendant has been charged with another violation of either chapter 6, chapter, 82, chapter 46, or chapter 34 of this Code, whichever may be applicable, within the preceding 12-month period, the defendant shall be required to appear at the municipal court, and he shall not have the benefit of this method of payment. The burden of determining the eligibility to pay according to the provisions of this section shall be upon the defendant.
(Ch. 779, § 1, 5-17-1999; Ch. 916, § 1, 7-20-2009; Ch. 938, § 1, 11-15-2010)
State Law reference— Authority to permit fine for violation of animal laws, payment by mail, G.L. 1956, § 4-13-1(8).