HLS 12RS-693 REENGROSSED
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 325
BY REPRESENTATIVE ARNOLD
INDIGENT DEFENSE: Increases the special cost assessed in criminal cases in each
judicial district court for the district indigent defender fund
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 15:168(B)(1), relative to the judicial district indigent defender2
fund; to increase the special cost assessed in criminal cases in each judicial district3
court for the district indigent defender fund; to provide for effectiveness; and to4
provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 15:168(B)(1) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:7
ยง168. Judicial district indigent defender fund8
* * *9
B.(1) Every court of original criminal jurisdiction, except in the town of10
Jonesville, in the city of Plaquemine, and in mayors' courts in municipalities having11
a population of less than five thousand, shall remit the following special costs to the12
district indigent defender fund for the following violations, under state statute as well13
as under parish or municipal ordinance, except a parking violation. The sum of14
thirty-five forty-five dollars shall be assessed in cases in which a defendant is15
convicted after a trial, a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or after forfeiting bond and16
shall be in addition to all other fines, costs, or forfeitures imposed. The court cost17
of forty-five dollars authorized by the provisions of this Subsection shall expire on18
August 1, 2014, and thereafter the court cost authorized by the provisions of this19
Subsection shall be thirty-five dollars. The Louisiana Public Defender Board shall20
provide a detailed report to the Louisiana Legislature prior to the 2014 Regular21 HLS 12RS-693 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 325
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Session detailing how the funds provided for by this Subsection were utilized in each1
judicial district.2
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Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not4
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature5
by the governor, as provided in Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If6
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become7
effective on the day following such approval.8
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Arnold HB No. 325
Abstract: Increases the special cost assessed in criminal cases in each district court for the
district indigent defender fund, and provides that such increase shall be effective
until Aug. 1, 2014.
Present law provides for the assessment of a $35 special cost in each district court in all
criminal cases where the defendant has been convicted, has plead guilty or nolo contendere,
or has forfeited bond. Provides for the use and administration of such funds by the district
public defender.
Proposed law increases the special cost from $35 to $45, and provides that the increased cost
shall expire on Aug. 1, 2014. Thereafter, the cost shall be $35 as provided for in present
law.
Proposed law requires the La. Public Defender Board to provide a report to the legislature
prior to the 2014 R.S. which details how the funds provided for in proposed law were
utilized.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 15:168(B)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill.
1. Decreased proposed law court cost amount from $55 to $50.
2. Added provision requiring the increased cost to expire on Aug. 1, 2014. HLS 12RS-693 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 325
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House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill.
1. Added provision which provides that proposed law is effective upon signature
of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
2. Decreased the proposed law court cost amount from $50 to $45.
3. Added provision which requires the La. Public Defender Board to provide a
report to the legislature which details how the proposed law funds were utilized.