Bill would allow greater collection of court fees

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Lawmakers sent to the governor on Monday a bill clarifying that criminal defendants who plead guilty but receive suspended sentences must still pay court fees.

State Rep. Scott Lipke, R-Jackson, introduced the legislation to clear up ambiguity in existing statutes that authorize various court fees to be collected upon a criminal conviction.

First-time offenders who plead guilty frequently are given suspended sentences. In such instances, defendants will not have convictions on their records if they successfully complete probation. The bill will require that these defendants pay court fees.

"There is some dispute about whether a suspended imposition of sentence is a conviction," Lipke explained. "Some courts treat it as a conviction, others do not. This clears it up so all the different circuits in the state treat people the same."

The House of Representatives voted 108-2 to forward the bill to Gov. Bob Holden for his consideration. The Senate passed the measure 30-0 last week.

According to the bill's fiscal impact statement, it would produce in excess of $100,000 a year in additional revenue from statewide court fees. However, Lipke predicts the change would generate far more revenue, with Cape Girardeau County alone expecting to receive another $30,000 to $40,000 a year from court fees.

The affected fees help support local sheriffs' departments, general county government and a state fund to compensate crime victims.

The bill is HB 1188.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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