In some cases, the agency that issued your violation will give you an opportunity to resolve your NOV without a hearing by allowing you to correct the violation and pay a penalty before your hearing date. More specifically, the issuing agency will mail you an agreement, which may contain additional provisions (for example, added time to correct the violation). This agreement is called a stipulation. 

If you agree to the stipulation, you are admitting to the violation. You are also agreeing to pay a stipulated penalty, which may be less than the penalty amount that could be imposed at a hearing. 

Are you eligible?
If you are eligible, you will receive a stipulation offer in the mail.

What do you need to do?
To agree to the stipulation, you will need to complete the forms that you received in the mail and return them to ECB at least five days before your first scheduled hearing date.

If you do not return the completed forms by the required time, you will need to appear at ECB on your scheduled hearing date to respond to the NOV.

If you do not accept the stipulation offer, you must appear at ECB on your scheduled hearing date.

What happens?
ECB will mail you a decision incorporating the stipulation. Once you agree to the stipulation, you have given up your right to a hearing and you cannot appeal the decision.