AGENDA DATE: 8/2/2017
TITLE:
Title
Implementation of Additional $5.00 Court Fee
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public hearing to consider an ordinance amendment to collect an additional court fee in the amount of $5.00 to fund an electronic summons system
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Walker, Kamptner, Farley, Lantz, Jenkins
PRESENTER (S): Major Gregory A. Jenkins
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Douglas C. Walker
BACKGROUND:
The 2014 session of the General Assembly enacted Virginia Code ? 17.1-279.1, which authorizes localities to assess an additional sum not to exceed $5.00 as part of the cost in each criminal or traffic case in the district or circuit courts located within its boundaries in which the defendant is convicted of a violation of any statute or ordinance.
The fee would be collected by the clerk of each court and remitted to the County's Director of Finance to be used solely to fund software, hardware, and associated equipment costs to implement and maintain an electronic summons system upon appropriation of those funds by the Board. Virginia Code ? 17.1-279.1 also authorizes localities to acquire electronic summons systems which have been shown to reduce transaction errors; protect the environment by reducing paper waste; increase the efficiency of data entry; and increase officer and citizen safety while stopped along the shoulder of the roadway. The processes and record keeping requirements for the electronic summons system have been formulated by the Virginia Supreme Court and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
In FY16, the Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) began its implementation process of the New World records management system. The then-Chief of Police, Steve Sellers, authorized the purchase of 100 electronic summons systems (hardware) for use by ACPD officers in the field. Officer David Rhodes is working with Saltus Technologies, and its product, digiTicket Electronic Ticketing Solut...
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