HomeMy WebLinkAbout24-006 ORDINANCE NO. 2024-006
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 16, "COURTS" OF THE ST.
LUCIE COUNTY CODE, BY AMENDING SECTION 16-20 TO PROVIDE
FOR ASSESSING COURT COSTS PER CHARGE COUNT INSTEAD OF
PER CASE. AND REVISING THE REFERENCE TO THE FLORIDA
STATUTE IN SUPPORT THEREOF; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
PROVIDING FOR FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE; PROVIDING FOR
ADOPTION; AND PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION
WHEREAS, Florida Statutes 939.185(1)(a) authorizes the Board of County Commissioners
to establish and enforce additional court costs by ordinance to criminal cases within St. Lucie
County
WHEREAS, St. Lucie County has elected to establish and enforce additional court costs by
ordinance to criminal cases within St. Lucie County
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend Chapter 16, "Courts,"of the St. Lucie County Code, in
order to provide for the assessment of additional court costs on a per charge count basis
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST. LUCIE
COUNTY FLORIDA:
PART A. CHAPTER -16, "COURTS" IS HEREBY AMENDED - BY AMENDING SECTION 16-20
(ASSESSMENT OF ADDITIONAL COURT COSTS)AS FOLLOWS:
Sec. 16-20. Assessment of additional court costs.
(a) The court shall assess court costs of-, not to exceed $65.00 per ease charge count,
in addition to any other authorized cost or fine, on every person.who pleads guilty or
nolo contendere to, or is found guilty of, or adjudicated delinquent for, any felony,
misdemeanor, delinquent act, or criminal traffic offense under state law.
(b) The clerk of the circuit and county court ("clerk") shall collect the $65.00 per
charge count court costs assessed by the court and deposit those funds in a separate,
designated account established by the clerk. The clerk shall release funds to the board
upon request.
(c) The court shall order, a person to pay the additional court costs. If the person is
determined to be indigent, the clerk shall defer payment of this cost.
MICHELLE R.MILLER,CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
SAINT LUCIE COUNTY
Added is language underlined. FILE# 5302233 02/21/2024 08:04:41 AM
Deleted language is struck through. OR BOOK 5109 PAGE 1417-1419 Doc Type:ORDN
RECORDING: $27.00
State Law reference— Authority to levy above charges, F.S. § 999. 185. 939.185.
PART B. SEVERABILITY AND APPLICABILITY.
It is declared to be the intent of the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, that if
any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or provision of this ordinance be held invalid, the
remainder of the ordinance shall not be affected.
PART C. FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
The Clerk is hereby directed forthwith to send a certified copy of this ordinance to the Bureau of
Administrative Code and Laws, Department of State, the Capitol, Tallahassee, Florida 32304.
PART D. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This ordinance shall take effect on March 1, 2024.
PART E. ADOPTION.
After motion and second, the vote on this ordinance was as follows:
Commissioner Cathy Townsend, Chair
AYE
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky, Vice Chair
AYE
Commissioner Linda Bartz
AYE
Commissioner Larry Leet
AYE
Commissioner Jamie Fowler
AYE
PART F. CODIFICATION.
Provisions of this ordinance shall be incorporated in the St. Lucie County Code, and the
word "ordinance" may be changed to "section," "article," or other appropriate word, and the
sections of this ordinance may be renumbered or relettered to accomplish such intention;
provided, however, that Parts B through F shall not be codified.
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PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 6th day February, 2024.
ATTEST:
Deputy Clerk
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY
Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
CORRECTNESSk
BY:
County Attorn
•
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT Of STATE
RON DESANTIS CORD BYRD
Governor Secretary of State
February 16,2024
Michelle R. Miller
Clerk&Comptroller
St. Lucie County
2300 Virginia Ave.
Fort Pierce,FL 34982
Dear Michelle Miller,
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 125.66,Florida Statutes,this will acknowledge receipt of your
electronic copy of the St. Lucie County Ordinance No. 2024-006,which was filed in this office on
February 15, 2024.
Sincerely,
Matthew Hargreaves
Administrative Code and Register Director
MJH/wlh
R. A. Gray Building • 500 South Bronough Street • Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250
Telephone: (850) 245-6270