CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

Board of Supervisors Meeting Date: 

Ray Graham , Chairman, Cedar Run Magisterial District

April 15, 2002

Staff Lead:

Department: 

Joseph Higgs

Sheriff

Topic:  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO SCHEDULE A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE CITIZEN COMMENT ON A PROPOSED ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8-37 OF THE CODE OF FAUQUIER COUNTY RELATING TO FEES IN CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC CASES

Topic Description:

The General Assembly has amended Virginia Code Section 53.1-120 effective July 1, 2002 to permit localities to adopt an ordinance assessing a fee of up to five dollars ($5.00) in all criminal and traffic cases resulting in a conviction.  Proceeds of the fee must be used to provide courthouse or courtroom security personnel.

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors: 

Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the County Administrator to schedule a public hearing to receive citizen comment on a proposed ordinance amending Section 8-37 of the Code of Fauquier County relating to fees assessed in criminal and traffic cases.

Financial Impacts Analysis:

The General District Court has estimated that it has 20,000-25,000 criminal or traffic cases which result in a conviction.  A fee of five dollars ($5.00) would result in the assessment of fees in the amount of $100,000 to $125,000.  Traffic and criminal convictions in the Circuit  and Juvenile and Domestic Relations courts would result in an increase in the amount of fees assessed.  Conviction estimates from the Circuit and J&DR courts have been requested, but not yet received.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Honorable Jeffrey Parker, Judge, Circuit Court

Honorable Charles Foley, Judge, General District Court

Honorable H. Dudley Payne, Jr. Judge, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

Honorable Gail Barb, Clerk, Circuit Court

Honorable Sandy Ramey, Clerk, General District Court

Honorable Linda Lunceford, Clerk, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court

Honorable Beth Ledgerton, Treasurer