Before you can appeal a state institution’s decision in administrative offences proceedings to the court, you must first follow the regular complaints procedure.
Initial decision
Your case was examined by a state institution which is responsible for the type of violation you are charged with. If you were found guilty, the state institution would have issued a decision and imposed a penalty.
The smallest penalty applicable is a warning; the heaviest penalty is fine, which is set in units (soda vienība).
Appeal to a higher official
If you disagree and want to appeal the initial decision, you must first appeal to a higher official or department within that same state institution. You must follow the complaints procedure and time limits mentioned in the decision.
Sometimes there is no higher institution or official, in which case you can appeal directly to the court.
Appeal before court
If there is no higher official or institution, you can appeal the initial decision in the administrative offences procedure directly to the court.
You can also appeal to the court in case you still disagree with the decision of the higher official or department, you can appeal it before a court in administrative offences proceedings.
example If you are charged with a violation of traffic regulations, your case will initially be examined by the police who may decide to give you a fine. If you do not agree with the fine, you can to appeal it to the chief of that police department. The decision by the police must indicate, in writing, where and how much time you have to appeal. If, after that decision you still disagree, you can appeal in court.