MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. -- The Jet Stream sat down with the sergeant major to find out the need-to-know of traffic court.
Responsible driving is an important part of overall base safety and with the assistance from the Provost Marshal’s Office vehicle traffic laws are enforced.
Over seeing the traffic court for non-commissioned personnel on the Air Station, is Sgt. Maj. William Burton, a native of Harlem, N.Y., and the Air Station’s sergeant major.
The Jet Stream sat down with the sergeant major to find out the need-to-know of traffic court.
Q: What is traffic court?
A: Traffic court is where Marines receive adjudications on those motor vehicle violation infractions received by PMO.
Q: Why do we have traffic court?
A: We have traffic court to enforce driving rules and regulations to ensure base safety is upheld. Some major hazards for personnel are speeding, making incomplete stops and when people choose to drink and drive.
Q: What offenses dictate a trip to traffic court?
A: Any offenses which break the base traffic code. They can include speeding, driving without insurance, driving under the influence, driving without seat belts and littering, all which can be found in Air Station Order P5110.1F.
Q: How does traffic court work, from violation to sentence?
A: The individual first receives a traffic violation from the military police, they then report to PMO for a court date to appear in traffic court and, depending on the offense, they will be assigned to be seen by the federal magistrate (off base) or me (on base).
Q: What type of punishments can come from traffic court?
A: Punishments can range from a warning, to a point on your driving record and even suspensions or revocations of on base driving privileges.
Q: How does it differ from a non-judicial punishment or court-martial?
A: Traffic court works more in an administrative nature, meaning you get points according to your driving record. A person can receive 12 points in one year or 18 points in two years before their privilege to drive on military installations is suspended, which will follow drivers base-to-base.
Q: Can punishments affect your driving privileges off base?
A: Citations and some revocations do not affect you out in town; however, cases such as driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated can have an effect because there are requirements to report such instances to the state.
Q: What court fees are associated with traffic court?
A: When you are held accountable in traffic court, you don’t pay any money. There are no fees or fines involved with coming to court.
Q: What is the best way to avoid going to traffic court?
A: Being courteous and following traffic laws aboard the Air Station is the best way to avoid traffic court. Always come to complete stops and follow speed limits at all times while driving in a safe manner.
It is important to drive in a safe and professional manner for safety concerns, whether driving on, or off base. Civilians know the decal and the persona of the Marine Corps must be upheld.