§ 2-32-21. Violations and penalties.

(a)

Speed limits and restricted areas. Violations of speed limits and other restricted areas imposed pursuant to sections 2-32-5, 2-32-6 and 2-32-8 shall be prosecuted in accordance with applicable provisions of Florida Statutes Section 327.73, as amended, or its successor provisions. Such violations may also be prosecuted pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 162, Part II, as amended, or its successor provisions, so long as the penalties imposed do not exceed the imitations set forth in Florida Statutes Section 327.73. For violations of the speed limit imposed in regulated channels and regulated corridors pursuant to section 2-32-5, hereof, the penalty for exceeding the speed limit by no more than one to five (5) miles per hour shall be only a written warning.

(b)

Lost and abandoned vessels. Violations of article VI of this chapter shall be punishable as provided by Florida Statutes Section 125.69(1). Notwithstanding the foregoing as an alternative to criminal prosecution, a violation of article VI of this chapter shall constitute a civil infraction in violation of Florida Statutes Section 162.21. The code enforcement officers of the county designated pursuant to section 2-32-20 are hereby authorized to issue citations for violations of article VI, in accordance with and subject to the requirements of Florida Statutes Section 162.21. The civil penalty for violation of article VI shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00). If the person who has committed the civil infraction does not contest the citation, the civil penalty shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00). A civil penalty may be contested in county court.

(c)

Other violations. Violations of the other prohibitions established pursuant to this chapter shall constitute a first degree misdemeanor pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 125.69, as amended, or its successor provision, and shall constitute noncriminal violations of the Manatee County Code of Laws that may be prosecuted pursuant to Flordia Statutes Chapter 162, Part II, as amended, or its successor provisions.

(Ord. No. 08-68, § 3(Exh. A), 8-12-08)