MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Shows

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF LAUREL TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL COURT COSTS IN MISDEMEANOR CASES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM, CRIME PREVENTION OR SIMILAR PROGRAMS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) The governing authorities of the City of Laurel, Mississippi, in its discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may require the imposition of the following additional court costs in the municipal court within the City of Laurel upon each person convicted of any misdemeanor, the amount of Five Dollars ($5.00).

(2) The resolution adopted by the governing authorities shall include a statement of the governing authority's intent to impose the additional court costs, the purpose therefor and the date on which the court will begin to impose the additional court costs.

(3) The resolution adopted by the governing authorities shall specify the use of the proceeds from any additional court costs imposed under subsection (1) of this section. The proceeds may be used to make contributions to or fund, or both, any drug education program or crime prevention program operated in the Laurel community and also may be used to make contributions to and to fund the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program (D.A.R.E.) or similar programs designed to deter the abuse of drugs or deter crime in the City of Laurel, the city school district and/or any separate school district that encompasses territory within Jones County and any adjoining county or counties, as specified in the resolution. The governing authorities shall determine, in its discretion, if it will contribute funds and the amount thereof, if any, for such a program in a separate school district that encompasses territory within an adjoining county or counties.

(4) Upon the adoption of the resolution stating its intent to impose the additional court costs, the governing authorities shall provide for the creation of a special city fund in which all court costs collected under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited. Monies in the special fund shall be used as the governing authorities, by resolution, may specify but primarily for the purpose of defraying the cost of or funding drug education, crime prevention, or other similar programs in the Laurel Community.

(5) The clerk of the municipal court shall deposit and account for the additional court costs collected under subsection (1) of this section in the same manner as other fines and costs collected in the court.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.