How does the indigent defense bill affect cities?
• The bill creates a new fine add-on (levied in municipal court as well as other courts) on all state and local criminal, traffic, and civil traffic (automated red light camera) offenses. The new fine add-on will be levied in an amount of 10% of the original fine. The proceeds from this fine add-on will go to fund the state’s circuit public defender system. • The bill also creates a new surcharge to fund indigent defense that will be added to all bails or bonds in an amount of 10% of the original bond or $50 whichever is less. • The bill also contains language that clarifies that fine surcharges levied for other purposes shall not be preempted. • The bill states that the net proceeds of money raised under the existing fine add-ons levied for peace officer and prosecutor training in the immediately preceding year shall be appropriated to fund law enforcement and prosecutor training. It also states that more funds may be devoted to training at the discretion of the General Assembly. • Th
