Procedure upon arrest

(a) Except as provided in § 15-24.2 or when authorized or directed under State law to immediately take a person arrested for a violation of any of the traffic laws before a magistrate, any authorized police officer, upon making an arrest for violation of the State traffic laws or traffic code and ordinances of the city, shall take the name, address, and driver’s license number of the alleged violator and license plate number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved, and shall issue to such person in writing a summons or citation, hereinafter described, notifying the person to answer to the complaint to be entered against the person at a place and at a time provided in the summons or citation. (b) In lieu of issuing the summons or citation referred to in subsection (a), an authorized police officer, in accordance with rules adopted by the Honolulu police department, shall offer to issue an administrative citation under this subsection. If issuing an administrative citation, the officer shall take the name, address, and driver’s license number of the alleged violator and license plate number or vehicle identification number of the vehicle involved, and shall issue the administrative citation. At any time before payment of an administrative fine as set forth in § 15-26.9 (c), an alleged violator may request a citation be issued under subsection (a) instead. )