[§291J-7]  Registered owner's responsibility for a summons or citation.  (a)  In any proceeding for a violation of this chapter, the information contained in the summons or citation mailed in accordance with section 291J-6 shall be deemed prima facie evidence that a violation of section 291C‑32(c) occurred.  If the registered owner does not rebut the evidence presented in this subsection by presenting one or more of the defenses listed in subsection (b), the registered owner shall be strictly liable for a violation of section 291C-32(c).

     (b)  The registered owner of the motor vehicle may present evidence to rebut the evidence in subsection (a) by any one of the following:

     (1)  Submitting a written statement as provided in section 291D-6(b)(2);

     (2)  Testifying in open court under oath that the person named in the summons or citation was not the registered owner of the motor vehicle at the time of the alleged violation;

     (3)  Calling witnesses to testify in open court under oath that the person named in the summons or citation was not the registered owner of the motor vehicle at the time of the alleged violation;

     (4)  Submitting evidence that the motor vehicle passed through the intersection when the traffic light was red in order to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle;

     (5)  Submitting evidence that the motor vehicle was part of a funeral procession escorted by the police;

     (6)  Presenting, prior to the return date established on the citation or summons issued pursuant to this chapter, a letter of verification of loss from the police department indicating that the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle license plates had been reported stolen, to the court adjudicating the alleged violation; or

     (7)  Submitting evidence that the motor vehicle passed through the intersection at the direction of a law enforcement officer. [L 2020, c 30, pt of §2]