Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jun 2004
Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS)
Copyright: 2004 The Clarion-Ledger
Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html
Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805
Author: Sylvain Metz
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?159 (Drug Courts)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test)

FEE HIKE BENEFITS DRUG COURTS

Assessments Added To Various Fines In Miss. Increase $20 In July

Beginning July 1, special assessments tacked onto fines for several 
violations, including speeding, DUI and littering, will increase by $20.

The added fees will be split between the state's drug court program and the 
crisis-intervention mental health fund.

Assessments are used to help fund many state programs, ranging from $1 for 
a capital defense counsel special fund to a $1.50 state court education 
fund and up to $22 for a driver training penalty fund. The assessment also 
will be tacked onto game and fish law violations and other misdemeanors.

For example, a first-time speeder, according to state statute, can be fined 
between $25 and $100. Tack on the assessment, and the total due runs 
between $76 and $151.

"We are preparing to implement the fees as mandated by the state 
Legislature," said Hinds County Justice Court Clerk Larry McMillian.

The $20 assessment, approved earlier this year by state lawmakers, is 
expected to add $5 million to drug courts, said Kevin Lackey, director of 
the administrative office of courts.

"We are hoping that (amount) will fund drug courts in all the circuit 
districts across the state and some of the youth courts."

There are 11 drug courts in the state with five more in the planning stage.

The program is an alternative sentencing program that allows first-time 
offenders to enter a drug treatment/education program. Successful 
completion can have their conviction expunged from their records.

They must also submit to random drug tests, report to the court and get a job.

Hinds County began a drug court in 2000.

Since its creation, 160 people have entered the Hinds County program and 46 
have graduated.

With the exception of Hinds County, which receives an annual $150,000 
appropriation from the Legislature, the other drug courts are funded by a 
mix of state and federal grants, local government funding and private 
contributions.

Speaking earlier this week at a drug court graduation in Magnolia, Adams 
County Judge John Hudson referred to the assessment, saying, "This will 
allow us to develop a system of drug courts to have funding for 
approximately 30 courts around the state."

The other half of the assessment is expected to generate $5 million for 
seven mental-health crisis centers around the state and a special treatment 
facility for juveniles in Harrison County.

The money will help fund 37 percent of the $13.5 million needed to open 
half the beds in each facility, said Theresa Smith, director of the 
division of planning and public information for the Mississippi Department 
of Mental Health.

Each crisis center has 16 beds but only enough funding to open eight beds 
at each facility.

There is only one center open in Batesville. Five more will open this fall. 
They are in Corinth, Cleveland, Grenada, Laurel and Newton. A seventh 
eventually will be built in Brookhaven.

The juvenile treatment center has 48 beds but only enough funding for 24, 
Smith said.

"These kids need treatment," she said, noting that the facility will 
provide psychotherapy and educational services for them.

"We're very grateful," she said.

Sidebar Fines for violations

Fines for violations Assessments, those fees assigned to actual fines, for 
misdemeanor violations goes up $20 on July 1. The rates below represent the 
new state assessment to be charged. Traffic violations $51

Implied consent law (DUI) violations $178 Game and fish law violations $64 
Litter law violations $46 Other misdemeanors $71.50 Assessments tacked on 
for traffic violations broken down by individual fund and amount dedicated 
to that fund. Fund Amount State Court Education Fund $1.50 State Prosecutor 
Education Fund 1.00 Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund 7.00 Law 
Enforcement Officers Training Fund 5.00 Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust 
Fund (for all moving violations) 4.00 Emergency Medical Services Operating 
Fund 10.00 Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund 1.00 Law 
Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund 0.50 State 
Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose of providing additional 
compensation for assistants to district attorneys 1.00 Crisis Intervention 
Mental Health Fund *10.00 Drug Court Fund *10.00 Total State Assessment $51.00

* Assessment effective July 1
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager