HB1169: Misdemeanor and felony fees; increases fixed fees.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 16.1-69.48:1, 17.1-275.1, 17.1-275.2, 17.1-275.3, 17.1-275.4, 17.1-275.7, 17.1-275.8, and 17.1-275.9 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 16.1-69.48:1. Fixed fee for misdemeanors, traffic infractions and other violations in district court; additional fees to be added.
A. Assessment of the fees provided for in this section shall be based on: (i) an appearance for court hearing in which there has been a finding of guilty; (ii) a written appearance with waiver of court hearing and entry of guilty plea; (iii) for a defendant failing to appear, a trial in his or her absence resulting in a finding of guilty; (iv) an appearance for court hearing in which the court requires that the defendant successfully complete traffic school or a driver improvement clinic, in lieu of a finding of guilty; or (v) a deferral of proceedings pursuant to §§ 4.1-305, 16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-57.3, 18.2-251 or 19.2-303.2.
In addition to any other fee prescribed by this section, a fee of $20 shall be taxed as costs whenever a defendant fails to appear, unless, after a hearing requested by such person, good cause is shown for such failure to appear. No defendant with multiple charges arising from a single incident shall be taxed the applicable fixed fee provided in subsection B, C, or D of this section more than once for a single appearance or trial in absence related to that incident. However, when a defendant who has multiple charges arising from the same incident and who has been assessed a fixed fee for one of those charges is later convicted of another charge that arises from that same incident and that has a higher fixed fee, he shall be assessed the difference between the fixed fee earlier assessed and the higher fixed fee.
A defendant with charges which arise from separate incidents shall be taxed a fee for each incident even if the charges from the multiple incidents are disposed of in a single appearance or trial in absence.
In addition to the fixed fees assessed pursuant to this section, in the appropriate cases, the clerk shall also assess any costs otherwise specifically provided by statute.
B. In misdemeanors tried in district court, except for those
proceedings provided for in subsection C, there shall be assessed as court
costs a fixed fee of $61 $64.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed fee shall be
apportioned, as provided by law, to the following funds in the fractional
amounts designated:
1. Processing fee (General Fund) (.573770)(.546875);
2. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.049180)(.093750);
3. Regional Criminal Justice Training Academies Fund (.016393)(.015625);
4. Courthouse Construction/Maintenance Fund (.032787)(.031250);
5. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.098361)(.093750);
6. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.065574)(.06250);
7. Sentencing/supervision fee (General Fund) (.131148);(.125000); and
8. Virginia Domestic Violence Victim Fund (.032787). (.031250).
C. In criminal actions and proceedings in district court for a
violation of any provision of Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of
Title 18.2, there shall be assessed as court costs a fixed fee of $136 $139.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed fee shall be
apportioned, as provided by law, to the following funds in the fractional amounts
designated:
1. Processing fee (General Fund) (.257353) (.251798);
2. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.022059) (.043165);
3. Regional Criminal Justice Training Academies Fund (.007353)(.007194);
4. Courthouse Construction/Maintenance Fund (.014706)(.014388);
5. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.044118)(.043165);
6. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.029412)(.028770);
7. Drug Offender Assessment and Treatment Fund (.551471)(.539568);
8. Forensic laboratory fee and sentencing/supervision fee
(General Fund) (.058824)(.057553);
and
9. Virginia Domestic Violence Victim Fund (.014706)(.014388).
D. In traffic infractions tried in district court, there shall
be assessed as court costs a fixed fee of $51 $54.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed fee shall be
apportioned, as provided by law, to the following funds in the fractional
amounts designated:
1. Processing fee (General Fund) (.764706)(.722222);
2. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.058824)(.111111);
3. Regional Criminal Justice Training Academies Fund (.019608)(.018518);
4. Courthouse Construction/Maintenance Fund (.039216)(.037037);
5. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.078431)(.074074);
and
6. Virginia Domestic Violence Victim Fund (.039216)(.037037).
§ 17.1-275.1. Fixed felony fee.
Upon conviction of any and each felony charge or upon a
deferred disposition of proceedings in circuit court in the case of any and
each felony disposition deferred pursuant to the terms and conditions of § 16.1-278.8,
16.1-278.9, 18.2-61,18.2-67.1, or 18.2-251, there shall be assessed as court
costs a fee of $350 $353,
to be known as the fixed felony fee.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed felony fee shall be apportioned, as provided by law, to the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Sentencing/supervision fee (General Fund) (.5041143)(.499830);
2. Forensic science fund (.1107143)(.109773);
3. Court reporter fund (.0950571)(.094249);
4. Witness expenses/expert witness fund (.0057143)(.005665);
5. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0085714)(.016997);
6. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0114286)(.011331);
7. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.0857143)(.084985);
8. Commonwealth's attorney fund (state share) (.0214286)(.021246);
9. Commonwealth's attorney fund (local share) (.0214286)(.021246);
10. Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund (.0028571)(.002832);
11. Warrant fee (.0342857)(.033994);
12. Courthouse construction/maintenance fund (.0057143)(.005665);
and
13. Clerk of the circuit court (.0929714)(.092181).
§ 17.1-275.2. Fixed fee for felony reduced to misdemeanor.
In circuit court, upon the conviction of a person of any and
each misdemeanor reduced from a felony charge, or upon a deferred disposition
of proceedings in the case of any and each misdemeanor reduced from a felony
charge and deferred pursuant to the terms and conditions of § 4.1-305,
16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-57.3, or 19.2-303.2, there shall be assessed as court
costs a fee of $202 $205,
to be known as the fixed fee for felony reduced to misdemeanor. However, this
section shall not apply to those proceedings provided for in § 17.1-275.8.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed fee for felony reduced to misdemeanor shall be apportioned to the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Sentencing/supervision fee (General Fund) (.1904950)(.187804);
2. Forensic science fund (.1918317)(.189024);
3. Court reporter fund (.1647030)(.162195);
4. Witness expenses/expert witness fund (.0099010)(.009756);
5. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0148515)(.029268);
6. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0198020)(.019512);
7. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.0990099)(.097560);
8. Commonwealth's attorney fund (state share) (.0371287)(.036585);
9. Commonwealth's attorney fund (local share) (.0371287)(.036585);
10. Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund (.0049505)(.004878);
11. Warrant fee (.0594059)(.058536);
12. Courthouse construction/maintenance fund (.0099010)(.009756);
and
13. Clerk of the circuit court (.1608911)(.158536).
§ 17.1-275.3. Fixed felony revocation fee.
Upon the partial or full revocation of suspension of sentence
or probation of a convicted felon pursuant to § 19.2-306, other than a
revocation for failure to pay previously assessed court costs, there shall be
assessed as court costs a fee of $133 $136
to be known as the fixed felony revocation fee. A single fixed felony
revocation fee shall be assessed per defendant per hearing without regard to
the number of revocations being considered.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed felony revocation fee shall be apportioned to the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0225564)(.044117);
2. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0300752)(.029411);
3. Court reporter fund (.2501504)(.244632);
4. Witness expenses/expert witness fund (.0150376)(.014705);
5. Commonwealth's attorney fund (state share) (.0563910)(.055147);
6. Commonwealth's attorney fund (local share) (.0563910)(.055147);
7. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.2255639)(.220588);
8. Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund (.0075188)(.007352);
9. Warrant fee (.0902256)(.088235);and
10. Clerk of the circuit court (.2460902)(.240661).
§ 17.1-275.4. Fixed misdemeanor reduced from felony revocation fee.
In circuit court, when a person whose charge was reduced from
a felony charge is convicted of a misdemeanor and subsequently suffers partial
or full revocation of his suspension of sentence or probation pursuant to §
19.2-306, other than a revocation for failure to pay previously assessed court
costs, he shall be assessed as court costs a fee of $89.50 $92.50
to be known as the fixed misdemeanor reduced from felony revocation fee. A
single fixed misdemeanor reduced from felony revocation fee shall be assessed
per defendant per hearing without regard to the number of misdemeanor
revocations being considered except that if a revocation of probation or
suspended sentence upon a felony conviction is also being considered at the
same revocation proceeding, a single fixed felony revocation fee shall apply
instead. The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed misdemeanor
reduced from felony revocation fee shall be apportioned, as provided by law, to
the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0335196)(.064864);
2. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0446927)(.043243);
3. Witness expenses/expert witness fund (.0223464)(.021621);
4. Commonwealth's attorney fund (state share) (.0837989)(.081081);
5. Commonwealth's attorney fund (local share) (.0837989)(.081081);
6. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.2234637)(.216216);
7. Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy Fund (.0111732)(.010810);
8. Warrant fee, as prescribed by § 17.1-272 (.1340782)(.129729);
and
9. Clerk of the circuit court (.3631285)(.351351).
§ 17.1-275.7. Fixed misdemeanor fee.
In circuit court, upon (i) conviction of any and each
misdemeanor, not originally charged as a felony; (ii) a deferred disposition of
proceedings in the case of any and each misdemeanor not originally charged as a
felony and deferred pursuant to the terms and conditions of § 4.1-305,
16.1-278.8, 16.1-278.9, 18.2-57.3, or 19.2-303.2; or (iii) any and each
conviction of a traffic infraction or referral to a driver improvement clinic
or traffic school in lieu of a finding of guilt for a traffic infraction, there
shall be assessed as court costs a fee of $70 $73,
to be known as the fixed misdemeanor fee. However, this section shall not apply
to those proceedings provided for in § 17.1-275.8. This fee shall be in
addition to any fee assessed in the district court.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed misdemeanor fee shall be apportioned, as provided by law, to the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Sentencing/supervision fee (General Fund) (.0142857)(.013698);
2. Witness expenses/expert witness fee (General Fund) (.0285714)(.027397);
3. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0428571)(.082191);
4. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0571429)(.054794);
5. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.2857143)(.273972);
6. Commonwealth's Attorney Fund (state share) (.0357143)(.034246);
7. Commonwealth's Attorney Fund (local share) (.0357143)(.034246);
8. Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund (.0142857)(.013698);
9. Warrant fee, as prescribed by § 17.1-272 (.1714286)(.164383);
10. Courthouse Construction/Maintenance Fund (.0285714)(.027397);
and
11. Clerk of the circuit court (.2857143)(.273972).
§ 17.1-275.8. Fixed drug misdemeanor fee.
In circuit court, upon conviction of any and each misdemeanor
charge, whether or not originally charged as a felony, for a violation of any
provision of Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2, or upon
a deferred disposition of proceedings in the case of any and each misdemeanor
charge, whether or not originally charged as a felony, deferred pursuant to the
terms and conditions of § 18.2-251, there shall be assessed as court costs a
fee of $286.50 $289.50,
to be known as the fixed drug misdemeanor fee. This fee shall be in addition to
any fee assessed in the district court.
The amount collected, in whole or in part, for the fixed drug misdemeanor fee shall be apportioned, as provided by law, to the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Sentencing/supervision fee (General Fund) (.1308901)(.129533);
2. Court Reporter Fund (.0174520)(.017271);
3. Witness expenses/expert witness fee (General Fund) (.0069808)(.006908);
4. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0104712)(.020725);
5. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0139616)(.013816);
6. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.0698080)(.069084);
7. Commonwealth's Attorney Fund (state share) (.0087260)(.008635);
8. Commonwealth's Attorney Fund (local share) (.0087260)(.008635);
9. Regional Criminal Justice Academy Training Fund (.0034904)(.003454);
10. Warrant fee, as prescribed by § 17.1-272 (.0418848)(.041450);
11. Courthouse Construction/Maintenance Fund (.0069808)(.006908);
12. Clerk of the circuit court (.0698080)(.069084);
13. Forensic laboratory fee (General Fund) (.3490401)(.345423);
and
14. Drug Offender Assessment and Treatment Fund (.2617801)(.259067).
§ 17.1-275.9. Fixed misdemeanor revocation fee.
In circuit court, when a person is convicted of a misdemeanor
not originally charged as a felony and subsequently suffers partial or full
revocation of his suspension of sentence or probation pursuant to § 19.2-306,
he shall be assessed as court costs a fee of $67 $70
to be known as the fixed misdemeanor revocation fee. A single fixed misdemeanor
revocation fee shall be assessed per defendant per hearing without regard to
the number of misdemeanor revocations being considered, except that if a
revocation of probation or suspended sentence upon a felony conviction is also
being considered at the same revocation proceeding, a single fixed felony
revocation fee shall apply instead. The amount collected, in whole or in part,
for the fixed misdemeanor revocation fee shall be apportioned, as provided by
law, to the following funds in the fractional amounts designated:
1. Virginia Crime Victim-Witness Fund (.0447761)(.085714);
2. Intensified Drug Enforcement Jurisdiction Fund (.0597015)(.057142);
3. Witness expenses/expert witness fee (General Fund) (.0298507)(.028571);
4. Commonwealth's Attorney Fund (state share) (.0373134)(.035714);
5. Commonwealth's Attorney Fund (local share) (.0373134)(.035714);
6. Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund (.2985075)(.285714);
7. Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy Fund (.0149254)(.014285);
8. Warrant fee, as prescribed by § 17.1-272 (.1791045)(.171428);
and
9. Clerk of the circuit court (.2985075)(.285714).