Presented by:Jaime Brew

Su g a r La n d M u n i c i p a l Co u r t

Are You Smarter Than Your Court Software?

Court Costs Workshop

Define conviction for purposes of court costs.

Identify the court costs that municipal courts collect.

Explain the breakdown of each court costs.

Identify those costs for which the portion retained must be used for a special purpose.

Describe the process for reporting and remitting to the State Comptroller.

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OBJECTIVES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHgkbdXnMiY

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DOES THE WORD “CONFUSED” COME TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORDS “COURT COSTS”?

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PART ONE

The final judgment on a verdict or plea of guilty, or a plea of nolo contendere. The result of a criminal trial that ends in a finding that the accused is guilty as charged.

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WHAT IS A CONVICTION?

For the purpose of assessing, imposing, and collecting most court costs and fees, a person is considered to have been convicted if: a judgment, sentence or both are imposed on the person;

or the person receives a driver safety course, or deferred disposition.

(This does not include Special Expense Fees or Administrative Compliance Dismissal Fees.)

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CONVICTION

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“Let’s Bundle”:Identify Each Court Costs

&Identify the Purposes in Which the Funds Must be Used

Bundle 1 – Court Costs Assessed on Conviction Date

Bundle 2 – Court Costs Assessed for Services Performed by a Peace Officer

Bundle 3 – Fees Created by City Ordinance

Bundle 4 – Jury, Time Payment and Restitution Fees

Bundle 5 – Fees Associated with Contractual Enforcement Options

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BUNDLES

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BUNDLE #1: COURT COSTS APPLIED ON CONVICTION DATE

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STATE COURT COSTS APPLIED UPON CONVICTION

Cost/Fee Name Abbrev. Legal Reference Amount Applies To

Consolidated Fee CF Section 133.102, L. G. C. $40 Conviction of any offense, except an offense relating to a pedestrian or parking.

Judicial Support Fee JSF Section 133.105, L. G. C. $6 Conviction of any offense, except an offense relating to a pedestrian or parking.

Indigent Defense Fund IDF Section 133.107, L. G. C. $2 Conviction of any offense, except an offense relating to a pedestrian or parking.

Juror Reimbursement Fee JRF Section 102.0045, C. C. P. $4 Conviction of any offense, except an offense relating to a pedestrian or parking.

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STATE COURT COSTS APPLIED UPON CONVICTION

Cost/Fee Name Abbrev. Legal Reference Amount Applies To

State Traffic Fee STF Section 542.4031, T. C. $30 

Rules of the Road Offenses (Ch. 541‐ 600, T. C.)                                 A person shall pay this cost when he/she enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or on the date of conviction.

Local Traffic Fee TFC Section 542.403, T. C. $3 

Rules of the Road Offenses(Ch. 541‐600, T. C.)                                  A person shall pay this cost when he/she is convicted of a misdemeanor under this section.

Child Safety Fund CS Section 102.014, C. C. P. $25 

Rules of the Road offenses that occur in a school crossing zone; passing a school bus; failure to attend school; parent contributing to non‐attendance; and some city ordinance parking violations.

Moving Violation Fee MVF Section 102.022, C. C. P. $0.10  Conviction of a moving violation.

New Court Costs – Effective January 1, 2014

Code of Criminal Procedure Article 102.015

Fee Amount - $2Applies to a person convicted

of any offense, except an offense relating to a pedestrian or the parking of a motor vehicle.

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TRUANCY PREVENTION AND DIVERSION FUND (TPDF)

Key thing to remember… If the City is operating,

establishing, or attempting to establish a Juvenile Case Manager (JCM) Program; then it can retain $1 of the court costs.

If the City does NOT have a JCM program and is not attempting to establish one then the entire $2 must be remitted to the State.

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TRUANCY PREVENTION ANDDIVERSION FUND (TPDF)

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BUNDLE #2: COURT COSTS ASSESSED FOR SERVICES PERFORMED BY A PEACE

OFFICER

The following fees are collected upon conviction for services performed by a peace officer (C.C.P. 102.011 and L.G.C. 133.104): Arrest Fee

Warrant Fee

Serving a Subpoena

Jury Summons Fee

Serving any other writ (i.e. Summons for a defendant or child’s parent)

Other costs: Peace Officer’s time testifying off duty or mileage for certain transports.

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COURT COSTS - SERVICES PROVIDED BY A PEACE OFFICER

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FEES FOR SERVICES OF A PEACE OFFICER

Cost/Fee Name Amount When is Fee Assessed?

Arrest Fee $5 

Cost incurred for issuing a written notice to appear in court following the defendant's violation of a traffic law, municipal ordinance, penal law, or for making an arrest without a warrant.

Warrant Fee $50 Cost incurred for executing or processing an issued arrest warrant, capias, or capias pro fine.

Serving a Subpoena $5  Subpoena served by a peace officer.

Jury Summons Fee $5  When a peace officer summons a jury.

Serving any other Writ $35 Includes a peace officer serving a summons for a defendant or a child's parent.

Other Costs Actual Overtime for testifying or mileage for certain transports.

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BUNDLE #3: FEES AUTHORIZED BY CITY ORDINANCE

Juvenile Case Manager Fund

Municipal Court Building Security Fund

Municipal Court Technology Fund

Special Expense Fee

Additional Child Safety Fund

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FEES CREATED BY CITY ORDINANCE

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FEES AUTHORIZED BY CITY ORDINANCE

Cost/Fee Name Legal Reference Amount Applies To

Juvenile Case Manager Fund Section 102.0174, C. C. P. Up to $5 Fee is assessed on every conviction.

Building Security Fund Section 102.017, C. C. P. $3  Fee is assessed on every conviction.

Court Technology Fund Section 102.0172, C. C. P. Up to $4 Fee is assessed on every conviction.

Special Expense Fee Section 45.203, C. C. P. Up to $25 Service of Warrant for FTA/VPTA

Additional Child Safety Fund Section 102.014, C. C. P.

$2 ‐ $5(pop. > 850,000   

up to $5   (pop. < 850,000

Parking ordinances and based on population.

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BUNDLE #4: JURY, TIME PAYMENT AND RESTITUTION FEES

Code of Criminal Procedures, Article 102.004

Fee Amount - $3

A defendant convicted by a jury in a trial before a justice or municipal court shall pay a jury fee of $3.

A defendant in a justice or municipal court who requests a trial by jury and who withdraws the request not earlier than 24 hours before the time of trial shall pay a jury fee of $3.

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JURY FEE

Local Government Code, Section 133.103

Fee Amount - $25

Fee is collected upon conviction if defendant pays any part of the fine, court costs, fees, or restitution on or after the 31st day after the date judgment is entered.

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TIME PAYMENT FEE

Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.037

Fee Amount - $12

This is an optional fee if defendant pays restitution in installments.

In addition to any fine authorized by law, the court that sentences a defendant convicted of an offense may order the defendant to make restitution to any victim of the offense or to the compensation to victims of crime fund.

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RESTITUTION FEE

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BUNDLE # 5: FEES ASSOCIATED WITH CONTRACTUAL ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS

OmniBase Fee

Scofflaw Fee

Third Party Collections Fee

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CONTRACTUAL ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS

Transportation Code Sections 706.006 and 706.007

Fee Amount - $30

Fee imposed on failure to appear or failure to satisfy a judgment for any fine-only offense if city has contracted with the Department of Public Safety to deny renewal of driver’s licenses.

Fee breakdown: Paid to the State - $20

Paid to OmniBase - $6

Retained by the City - $4

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OMNIBASE FEE

Transportation Code, Section 702.003

Fee Amount - $20

This is an optional fee for failure to appear or satisfy a judgment on an outstanding warrant for violation of a traffic law if the city has contracted with the Department of Motor Vehicles to deny renewal of vehicle registration.

Entire fee goes to the county tax-assessor.

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SCOFFLAW FEE

Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 103.0031

30% of the unpaid fines, fees, costs, restitution, or forfeited bonds if the city has a contract with a third party collections agency and the amount is more than 60 days past due or more than 60 days have elapsed since the defendant’s failure to appear.

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THIRD PARTY COLLECTIONS FEE

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bsp3yxFxCr0&desktop_uri=%252Fwatch%253Fv%253Dbsp3yxFxCr0&autoplay=1

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THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY

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PART TWO

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Breakdown of Court Costs: Percentage Remitted to the State

&Percentage Retained by the City

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Cost/Fee Name Abbrev. Amount Portion Remitted, Retained

Consolidated Fee CF $40  90% to the State / 10% to the City (Report Quarterly)

Judicial Support Fee JSF $6 

90% to the State / 10% to the City (Report Quarterly)                 City's portion must be used to promote the efficient operation of the court and the investigation, prosecution, and enforcement of offenses within the court's jurisdiction.

Indigent Defense Fund IDF $2  90% to the State / 10% to the City (Report Quarterly)

Juror Reimbursement Fee JRF $4  90% to the State / 10% to the City (Report Quarterly)

State Traffic Fee STF $30  95% to the State / 5% to the City (Report Quarterly)

Local Traffic Fee TFC $3  100% Retained by the City

Child Safety Fund CS $25 

100% Retained by the City                                                           ‐ Must be deposited in municipal child safety trust fund in municipalities with population greater than 850,000.                      

‐ For others, shall first fund school crossing guard program with excess expended for programs designed to enhance public safety and security.

Moving Violation Fee MVF $0.10  90% to the State / 10% to the City (Report Quarterly)

Truancy Prevention and Diversion Fund TPDF $2 

50% to the State / 50% to the City, if the City is operating, establishing, or attempting to establish a JCM Program; otherwise 100% of the funds are to beremitted to the State quarterly.

BREAKDOWN FOR COURT COSTS APPLIED AT CONVICTION

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Cost/Fee Name Amount Portion Remitted, Retained

Arrest Fee $5 When service is performed by a peace officer employed by the State, 20% is remitted to the State. (Quarterly)

Warrant Fee $50 When service is performed by a peace officer employed by the State, 20% is remitted to the State. (Quarterly)

Serving a Subpoena $5  100% retained by the City.

Jury Summons Fee $5  100% retained by the City.

Serving any other Writ $35  100% retained by the City.

Other Costs Actual 100% retained by the City.

BREAKDOWN FOR COURT COSTS APPLIED FOR SERVICES PERFORMED BY A PEACE OFFICER

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Cost/Fee Name Amount Portion Remitted, Retained

Juvenile Case Manager Fund Up to $5100% of the funds to be used only to finance the salary, benefits, training, travel expenses, office supplies, and other necessary expenses of the juvenile case manager.

Building Security Fund $3 100% of the funds to be used only for security personnel, services, and items related to buildings that house the operation of the municipal court.

Court Technology Fund Up to $4100% of the funds to be used only to finance the purchase of or to maintain technological enhancements for the municipal court.

Special Expense Fee Up to $25Money collected from the special expense shall be paid into the municipal treasury for the use and benefit of the municipality.

Additional Child Safety Fund

$2 ‐ $5(pop. > 850,000   

up to $5(pop. < 850,000

Pop. > 850,000  ‐municipal court case shall deposit money collected in the municipal child safety trust fund established as required by Chapter 106, L. G. C. Pop. < 850,000  ‐ the money collected  must be used for a school crossing guard program.  If the city does not operate a crossing guard program then the funds can be used to enhance child safety, health, nutrition, public safety and/or security.

BREAKDOWN OF FEES AUTHORIZED BY CITY ORDINANCE

The treasurer shall remit 50% ($12.50) of the fees collected to the comptroller. The comptroller shall deposit the fees received to the credit of the

general revenue fund.

50% stays with the city, of which $2.50 (10%) shall be used for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the administration of justice. The city shall prioritize the needs of the judicial officer who

collected the fee.

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BREAKDOWN OF TIME PAYMENT FEE

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REPORTING AND REMITTING TO THE

STATE COMPTROLLER

Code of Local Government Code, Article 133.051

A municipality or county shall collect, record, account for, and remit to the comptroller all fees in the manner provided by this subchapter.

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COLLECTION & REMITTANCE OF FEES

Local Government Code, Article 133.052

An officer collecting a fee in a case in municipal court shall deposit the money in the municipal treasury.

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DEPOSIT OF FEES

Local Government Code, Article 133.053

The treasurer may deposit fees in an interest-bearing account. The municipality or county may retain any interest accrued on the

money the treasurer deposited in the treasury if the treasurer remits the funds to the comptroller timely.

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INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNT

An officer or clerk collecting a fee shall keep a record of the money collected.

The treasurer shall keep a record of the money collected and on deposit in the treasury.

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RECORDS

On or before the last day of the month following each calendar quarter, the treasurer shall:Remit to the comptroller the money from all fees collected

during the preceding quarter; and

Submit to the comptroller the report required under Section 133.056 of the L.G.C. for criminal fees.

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QUARTERLY REMITTANCE OF FEES TO THE COMPTROLLER

If the treasurer does not collect any fees during a calendar quarter, the treasurer shall file the report required for the quarter in the regular manner. The report must state that no fees were collected.

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QUARTERLY REMITTANCE OF FEES TO THE COMPTROLLER

Per Section 133.058 (a):Unless otherwise stated, a municipality or county may retain

10% of the money collected from fees as a service fee for the collection if the municipality or county remits the remainder of the fees to the comptroller within the period prescribed by Section 133.055(a) of C.C.P.

A municipality or county may retain an amount greater than 10% of the money collected from fees if retention of the greater amount is authorized by law.

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PORTION OF FEES RETAINED

Non-Compliance of the Office of Court Administration’s Collection Improvement Program: A municipality or county may not retain a service fee if, during an

audit the OCA of the Texas Judicial System determines that the municipality or county is not in compliance with Article 103.0033, C.C.P. and is unable to reestablish compliance on or before the 180th day after the date the municipality receives written notice of noncompliance from the office.

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PENALTY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

Non-Compliance of the Office of Court Administration’s Collection Improvement Program (Cont.): After any period in which the municipality or county becomes

unable to retain a service fee, the municipality or county may begin once more to retain the fee only if the entity receives written confirmation from the OCA that the municipality or county is in compliance.

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PENALTY FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

City must remit to the State 50% of the fines collected for failing to secure a child in a child passenger safety system or to secure a child in a safety belt per Sections 545.412 & 545.413(b), of the T.C.

Funds must be remitted to the State by end of the city’s fiscal year.

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SAFETY BELTS &CHILD SAFETY SEAT SYSTEMS

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PART THREE

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GROUP ACTIVITY:DISSECTING COURT COSTS

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QUICK REFERENCE:TMCEC COURT COSTS CHART

You are the Court Administrator for “My LifeIs Fabulous Municipal Court”. Your city hasa population of 200,000 people. The “City ofMy Life is Fabulous” has an ordinance thatallows you to charge a building security fee,a court technology fee, and a special expensefee.

Your court does not have a Juvenile CaseManager program, but you are “attempting”to establish one within the year.

Also, your City has Code Enforcement onstaff, however they are not certified peaceofficers.

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SCENARIO

A defendant in your court was issued a cited forspeeding in a school zone (10 mph over) by one ofyour city’s peace officers. The fine amount is$73.90. What is the amount of the court costs forthis violation?

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QUESTION #1

A defendant in your court was issued a citation by one ofyour city’s peace officers for disorderly conduct. What isthe court costs on this violation?

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QUESTION #2

A defendant in your court was issued a citationfor high weeds and grass by one of the city’scode enforcement officers. What is the courtcost for this violation?

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QUESTION #3

Define conviction for purposes of court costs.

Identify the court costs that municipal courts collect.

Explain the breakdown of each court costs.

Identify those costs for which the portion retained must be used for a special purpose.

Describe the process for reporting and remitting to the State Comptroller.

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NOW YOU CAN