Louisiana Senate Bill SB72

Louisiana 2015 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/31/15
• Refer: 3/31/15

Caption

Authorizes the Walker Municipal Court to impose an additional court cost in traffic violation cases. (gov sig)

Impact

The passage of SB 72 is expected to amend the existing statutes regarding court costs associated with traffic violations, specifically for the Walker Municipal Court. The clear stipulation for these additional costs is that the proceeds will be placed in a special account subject to audits, aimed primarily at funding police operations. This measure addresses the need for municipal courts to generate revenue for local law enforcement, particularly in jurisdictions where budget constraints are prevalent.

Summary

Senate Bill 72, introduced by Senator Erdey, aims to authorize the Walker Municipal Court to impose additional court costs on traffic violation cases. Specifically, the bill allows the presiding officer of the court to assess costs up to $50 in addition to any other fines that might legally be imposed. The intention behind this legislation is to create a new source of revenue to support the operational expenses of the Walker Police Department, thus enhancing its financial stability.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding SB 72 appears to lean positively among those who advocate for increased funding for local police departments. Proponents argue that enabling the court to impose these costs provides necessary financial support to ensure police operations are adequately funded. However, there may be potential concerns among dissenters who view any additional costs to individuals for traffic violations as burdensome and possibly as a regressive measure that disproportionately impacts lower-income drivers.

Contention

While there may be strong support for the bill within local government and law enforcement circles, opposition could arise from community advocates who are wary of increasing financial penalties for traffic offenses. Such critics might argue that adding a financial burden through court costs could exacerbate issues for individuals already facing economic difficulties. The debate could center around whether this legislative approach serves the best interests of public safety versus the financial realities of local constituents.