Fines, fees, and court costs could be increasing in Iowa

DES MOINES – Fines, fees and court costs for various criminal offenses will be increasing by $8.8 million beginning July 1.

The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 13-9 to raise fines and fees for more than 200 scheduled and unscheduled violations – including many offenses committed by drivers and additional court costs for felony and misdemeanor crimes.

“My best advice would be don't break the law,” said Sen. Tom Hancock, D-Epworth, co-chairman of a justice systems budget subcommittee. “Folks that are breaking the law are going to pay. I don't like raising fines anymore than anybody else, I don't like raising any fees, but it's about public safety, it's about resources, it's about the judicial process.”

The increased fines, fees and court costs were included as part of a two-pronged effort to fund the state's court system and public safety programs.

One measure appropriated $484.1 million to fund public safety, corrections, justice department, public defense and other related governmental functions next fiscal year. The companion bill would provide $150.3 million to finance Judicial Branch operations beginning July 1. The two bills cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday with nine Republicans opposed.

Hancock said $5.3 million from the higher fines, fees and court costs would be used to increase funding for the courts to lessen the need for more layoffs, furlough days, court closure days or reduced hours of operation in rural counties due to the state's budget problems.

“It's money they dearly need,” Hancock said of the court funding measure.

However, Sen. Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, ranking GOP committee member, called the fee increases “just wrong,” and noted the state currently is hundreds of millions behind in collecting delinquent fines already owed by court defendants and others who are in arrears.

Kettering noted as an example that a fine for a seat-belt violation would increase from $25 to $75, while the court costs would increase from $60 to $70, meaning someone who was cited for a seat-belt violation on July 1 or thereafter would face a $145 charge.

Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, said the proposal bordered on extortion, adding “I feel like we're in Hazard County and Boss Hogg has just raised the rates.”

The overall justice budget package would increase funding to the state Board of Corrections by $15.3 million, to $344 million in fiscal 2011.

Selected examples of proposed traffic fine increases under legislative consideration:

Violation                                                                           Current Fine      New Fine

Seat belt/child restraint                                                 $ 25                  $ 75

Presence of alcohol                                                          $ 25                  $ 50

Obstructed view/windshield                                       $ 15                   $ 50

Passing on wrong side                                                    $ 35                  $ 75

Failure to maintain minimum speed                        $ 35                   $ 45

Failure to maintain vehicle control                         $ 35                   $100

Failure to obey traffic control device                    $ 35                   $ 75

Unlawful golf cart operation                                      $ 50                   $ 60

Radar jamming devices                                                $ 50                  $ 60

Traffic/misdemeanor court costs                            $ 60                  $ 70

OWI court costs                                                               $100                $120

Serious/aggravated misdemeanor court costs  $100                $120

Felony court costs                                                          $100                $120

Source: Senate Study Bill 3243

Comments: (515) 243-7220;

rod.boshart@gazcomm.com