The Warren County Commission approved a new supplemental funding source for the District Attorney’s office by authorizing a $12.50 court cost on all misdemeanor and felony convictions.
District Attorney General Matt Colvard said the new fee replaces the existing economic crime fund which was limited to specific financial offenses. Colvard said the state legislature authorized the change.
“This $12.50 can also be used for any type of combating any type of crime,” Colvard said. “So instead of being limited to the money being used for economic crimes, it can be used for anything: drugs, violent crimes, anything.”
Colvard said the funding can be used to maintain staff positions if federal grants were to expire. The resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass and will take effect locally regardless of whether neighboring Van Buren County adopts the same measure.
“It’s easier to collect $12.50 on everyone than it is $75 on people that are writing worthless checks,” Colvard said. “In the counties that have passed this, the DA’s offices have seen the money go up.”
Commissioner Randy England said he would abstain from the vote due to his position with the public defender’s office. England said the public defender had declined to seek a similar $12.50 fee for his own office to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
“He sees it as being a conflict of interest where it’s almost like he’s the more people that are convicted, the more money he would get,” England said. “And since he is the public defender defending people accused of crime, I see his position.”
The commission approved the resolution with 21 votes in favor and one abstention. The new court cost applies to those who plead guilty, are found guilty at trial, or agree to have charges dismissed upon payment of costs.
