628th SFS implements traffic citation changes

Published Feb. 20, 2015
By 628th Security Forces Squadron

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Changes in traffic enforcement are coming to Joint Base Charleston - Weapons Station.

Effective Feb. 1, 2015, the 628th Security Forces Squadron expanded the charges under which they can issue the United States District Court Violation Notices, also known as Central Violations Bureau Form 1805. This form is used when it is determined an offender will be criminally prosecuted for a minor offense, including traffic offenses, before a U.S. Magistrate under AFI 51-905, Use of US Magistrates for Trial of Misdemeanors Committed by Civilians.

For the time being, these violation forms will only be issued to civilians suspected of a crime or traffic violation on the Naval Weapons Station and its expansion will include citations for driving without insurance and failure to stop for stopped school busses.

Form 1805 can only be written in areas designated as exclusive jurisdiction. The Weapons Station is the only side of JB Charleston that has been designated as having exclusive jurisdiction.

"Most civilians on the Weapons Station should not notice the change, unless they are pulled over for a traffic infraction or suspected of a crime," said Capt. Jonathan Blount, 628th SFS operations officer.

There are two different citations that can be issued on JB Charleston for traffic offenders; Department of Defense Form 1408, Armed Forces Traffic Ticket, and CVB Form 1805, United States District Court Violation Notice.

Active-duty military, Guard and Reserve members on active status who commit an infraction will still receive a DD Form 1408. This citation has no monetary penalty attached for violations, but the standard reporting instructions are to report violations to their commander and/or first sergeant within 24 hours or immediately upon returning to duty.

Along with having to report this violation to their chain of command, there is a base driving privilege points system against which violations are assessed, affecting the person's base driving record. Depending upon the infraction, and point totals, drivers can lose their on-base driving privileges.

Additionally, civilians operating privately owned vehicles on JB Charleston, as well as Guard and Reserve members not on active status, civilians, DoD employees, dependents, retirees and contractors, are subject to South Carolina traffic laws, just as they are off the installation. The CVB 1805 allows security forces to enforce these laws through issuing citations with fines ranging from $25 to $500 or more, with a $25 processing fee added to the citation penalty.

Along with the citation, violators may receive a "must appear" citation, where they are required to appear in front of a magistrate judge in traffic court located in downtown Charleston. Violators issued a CVB 1805 are also subject to the same driving privileges point system as previously stated.

Civilians will still be issued a DD Form 1408 for some minor violations such as cell phone use while driving on the installation and minor parking violations while operating a government vehicle.

For more information concerning the CVB 1805 or questions concerning traffic citations, please contact Capt. Blount at 843-963-3641.