A Message from the 1st Parish Court Judges Regarding Court Costs

1.  76% of your fine goes to the "General Fund" of the Parish of Jefferson (Revised Statute, Title 13, Section 2561.8).

2.  12% of your fine goes to the Sheriff for his "Sheriff's Salary and Expense Fund" as his commission for collecting your fine (Revised Statute, Title 15, Section 571.11).

3.  12% of your fine goes to the District Attorney's office.  (Revised Statute, Title 15, Section 571.11)

4.  Court cost in the amount of $7.50 goes to the Clerk of Court for his "Clerk of Court Salary and Expense Fund" for all traffic cases, and parish ordinances, except parking violations and misdemeanor cases.  The Clerk's Fee for parking violations is set at $3.75.  See Court Order dated the 4th day of November, 1996 pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 13:2561.8.  An additional $25.00 court cost for the Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court in all misdemeanor cases, excluding traffic violations (Title 32 cases), but to include DWI charges, against every defendant who is convicted after trial or who pleads guilty or nolo contendre or against whom a judgment of bond forfeiture has been rendered, in addition to all other fines, costs, or forfeitures lawfully imposed.  (See Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 887F (2) and Court Order dated the 10th day of December, 1997.)

5.  Court cost in the amount of $5.00, imposed under Act 737 of 1984, (starting September 3rd, 1984) and Amended Court Order dated the 16th day of October, 2000 for the "Off Duty Officer's Witness Fee Fund" in all traffic violations under State Statutes and Parish Ordinances.  As of October 1, 1991 (see Amended Court Order dated September 25, 1991), when a defendant requests a continuance, he will pay the court cost of $25.00 instead of the set court cost on each continuance requested if in fact an officer had to be paid.

6.  Court cost in the amount of $25.00 on all cases under Louisiana Revised Statute 15:146 (B)(1)(a) for the "Indigent Defender Fund."  (See Court Order dated the 30th day of September, 1994, effective the 3rd day of October, 1994.)

7.  Court cost in the amount of $7.00 is deposited in a special account for the "Building Fund" of the First Parish Court.  (See Louisiana Revised Statute 13:2562.24, and Court Order dated the 18th day of September, 1990.

8.  Court cost in the amount of $5.00, deposited in a special account and used for the "Operational Expenses" of the First Parish Court (See Louisiana Revised Statute 13:2562.24, and Court Order dated the 7th day of April, 1993.)

9.  Court cost in the amount of $7.50, deposited in a special account for "Crime Victims Reparation Fund" in all criminal cases, except, traffic violations other than those driving offenses defined in Title 14 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950 in which a defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty, after trial, (Chapter 21 of Title 46 of the Louisiana Revised Statute of 1950, to be comprised of Revised Statute 46:1801 through Revised Statute 46:1823...effective the 9th day of August, 1982.)  See Court Order dated the 6th day of August, 1982.

10.  Court cost in the amount of $6.50 is deposited in a special account for "Computer Cost."  (See Revised Statute 13:2562.23, and Amended Motion and Court Order dated the 24th day of May, 1996, effective the 1st day of June, 1996.)

11.  Court cost in the amount of $20.00 is deposited in a special account for "District Attorney Cost."  This cost is attached to every Revised Statute Title 14 case and Title 32 cases where the defendant is convicted after trial or after he pleads guilty, or forfeits his bond.  (See Louisiana Revised Statute 16:16, and Court Order dated the 18th of December, 1986, effective the 18th day of December, 1986 and Louisiana Revised Statute 16:16.1, and Court Order dated the 22nd day of July, 1997, effective the 15th day of August, 1997.)

12.  Court cost in the amount of $50.00, deposited in a special account, for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) cases only under Act 57, 1983 Special Session (Effective on the 18th day of March, 1983.)  (See Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 887 (D).  These monies collected are set aside for use of administering the Driving Improvement School, the Substance Abuse Clinics, and the Community Service Program.

Court cost in the amount of $75.00, deposited in a special account, for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) cases only, when the defendant is subjected to a blood, breath, or urine analysis for alcohol.  $50.00 is collected for the governing authorities whose law enforcement agency performed this analysis, the additional $25.00 is paid to the governing authority owning the instrument used to perform the analysis.  (See Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 887, C, and Amended Court Order dated the 29th day of July, 1991).

13.  Court cost in the amount of $5.00, deposited with the state treasurer, in each criminal action which results in conviction or a guilty plea under Revised Statute 56:31 through 37.  These monies are collected and put into the Louisiana Help Our Wildlife Fund as per Louisiana Revised Statute 56:70.3.  (See Court Order dated the 4th day of August, 1986.)

14.  Court cost in the amount of $2.00, deposited with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, in each case where the defendant is convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or violation of an ordinance of any local government.  (See Act 562 of 1986, Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 887 (E), and Court Order dated the 30th day of October, 1986).

15.  Court cost in the amount of $10.00, deposited in a special account for "Coroners Operational Fund."  Collected on all misdemeanor cases except criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, disturbing the peace and Parish Ordinances.  (See Louisiana Revised Statute 33:1572, and Court Order dated the 2nd day of May, 1989.)

16.  Court cost in the amount of $2.00 per docket number is to be assessed on all convictions of traffic and misdemeanor cases filed under State Statute or Parish Ordinances.  This includes parking tickets.  This amount is sent in check form to the Judicial Administrator's office of the Supreme Court.  This court cost is for the "Trial Court Case Management Information System Fund," which is to be used for the preparation of a master plan for the development of a trial court case management information system.  (See Court Order dated the 7th day of August, 1995.)

17.  Court cost in the amount of $5.00 is deposited in a special account for "Criminal Court Fund"  and used to defray expenses necessary for the operation of the court.  This cost is collected on all cases whereby the defendant is allowed by the court to plea under Article 894.  (See Court Order dated the 20th day of June, 1996, effective the 11th day of July, 1996.)

The "Funds," established under law, for the Parish of Jefferson, the Sheriff, and the Clerk of Court are regulated under strict State Laws and the Governing Authority for the Parish of Jefferson, the Sheriff, and the Clerk of Court are subject to a periodic "Audit" by the State of Louisiana.

Hence, none of these fines or court costs are retained for the individual use or benefit for the Judge, the Sheriff, the Clerk of Court, or any other official, elected or appointed.

The law requires that if you issue a cashier's check or money order, it must be made payable to the "Sheriff of the Parish of Jefferson," or some similar phrase approved by the Sheriff.

If there are any questions concerning these matters, please ask the Judicial Clerk to make an appointment for you with the Judicial Administrator, who will gladly supply you with any additional information you might request.

Rebecca M. Olivier, Judge, Division "A"

George W. Giacobbe, Judge, Division "B"