Michigan Couple Arraigned on Larceny Charges for Late Library Books
OK, I get they are irresponsible. I get that they may have have been irresponsible because they have all kinds of claims etc. But an "Economic Crimes Unit" chasing 2 library books? Then wanting a 105.00 diversion fee, before they can settle? Oh yea, the fees fund the Economic Crimes Unit. One would think they would chase one online ransomware dude, and nail him and get a years worth of funding from one case. Or go after a few SSN stealing Income Tax fraudsters..or...I guess it is easier to go after an old couple who are irresponsible, sort of like deciding if your are going to hunt a mountain lion, or a tortoise. Tne name Economic Crimes Unit sounds like something Wesley Mouch would have dreamed up...
Now on the matter of legal system fee's in addition to fines, following is a list of fees charged by Oklahoma courts on minor misdemeanor/traffic ticket fine only offenses:
TRAFFIC COSTS($ 88.00)
OKLAHOMA COURT INFORMATION SYSTEM REVOLVING FUND($ 25.00)
SHERIFF’S SERVICE FEE FOR COURT HOUSE SECURITY($ 10.00)
DA COUNCIL PROSECUTION ASSESSMENT FOR TRAFFIC($ 10.00)
TRAUMA CARE ASSISTANCE REVOLVING FUND($ 10.00)
CLEET PENALTY ASSESSMENT($ 9.00)
LAW LIBRARY FEE($ 6.00)
FORENSIC SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENT($ 5.00)
SHERIFF'S SERVICE FEE ON ARRESTS($ 5.00)
AFIS FEE($ 5.00)
C.H.A.B. STATUTORY FEE($ 3.00)
ATTORNEY GENERAL VICTIM SERVICES UNIT($ 3.00)
COURT CLERK ADMINISTRATIVE FEE ON COLLECTIONS($ 5.50)
These fee items can be and are increased, but never waived--even for those that cant pay the fines and are given community service in lieu of fine, or $10/mo payment plans. Nor are the fee items relatable to the type of offense.
It's all about the $'s.