Jackson aldermen increase state-mandated court fees

Jackson defendants soon will be paying a few dollars more in court fees after the Jackson Board of Aldermen approved a measure to bring the city into accordance with a state regulation.

City attorney Tom Ludwig explained Monday night during the aldermen's meeting the state regulation, which compels Missouri cities to collect $3 in court fees for the funding of a statewide sheriffs' retirement fund, recently was upheld by the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District.

"This is just an ordinance to put us into compliance with state law," Ludwig said.

"Do we have a choice in the matter, or are we doing this just to be official?" asked alderwoman Katy Liley.

"Doing it just to be official," Ludwig answered.

"So we don't have a choice?" asked alderman Dave Hitt. "What if we don't vote for it?"

"If [the board doesn't] vote for it, we won't collect it," Ludwig said. "And we would be in violation of state law."

The board then passed the motion, with apparent annoyance from several aldermen.

The fee will be levied in addition to other court fees, some of which vary depending on the circumstances of the defendant's case.

For example, defendants found guilty of violating city ordinances must pay "$3 for each violation of the ordinances of the city," according to city statute. Issuing a warrant costs defendants $27.

The $3 sheriffs' retirement-fund fee brings the baseline court costs in Jackson to $31.50, Ludwig said.

The retirement fund will redistribute money collected to elected sheriffs across the state, not just in Cape Girardeau County.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627