Constitutional Court limits municipal authority to impose fines

Municipalities in the Dominican Republic cannot convert their authority over traffic and public spaces into a power to impose fines, impound vehicles, or demand payment for their return, the Constitutional Court has ruled. The court also stated that local governments cannot create arbitrary fees without the proper legal authority.

In a decision with significant implications for drivers, the Constitutional Court determined that the Moca City Council acted unlawfully. The council had immobilized, towed, and retained a vehicle for a parking infraction, conditioning its return on the payment of 3,000 pesos. The court found this action to be a punitive measure that the local government was not legally empowered to impose in that manner.

This ruling, outlined in Sentence TC/0785/26 issued on June 12, 2026, stemmed from a case brought by Juan Carlos Mejía Vásquez against the Moca City Council. The dispute arose when municipal personnel immobilized a vehicle with a clamp, leading to the subsequent impoundment and the demand for payment.

The Constitutional Court's decision clarifies the boundaries of municipal power, asserting that administrative functions related to traffic and public space management do not automatically grant the authority to levy fines or create financial penalties for violations. Such actions require explicit legal authorization, preventing local entities from exceeding their mandated competencies.