MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Boyd

House Bill 1241

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-7-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AN INCREASE OF TEN DOLLARS PER COURT CASE, WHETHER CIVIL OR CRIMINAL IN THE COSTS AND FEES CHARGED IN JUSTICE COURT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 9-11-10, 9-11-18, 9-11-19, 9-11-21, 25-3-36 AND 99-19-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 25-7-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     25-7-25.  (1)  Costs and fees in the justice court shall be charged as follows and shall be paid in advance to the clerk of the justice court in accordance with the provisions of Section 9-11-10:

(a)  A uniform total fee in all civil cases, whether contested or uncontested, which shall include all services in connection therewith, except as hereinafter stated, each....................... $25.00

(b)  For more than one (1) defendant, for service of process on each defendant...........................................   5.00

(c)  After final judgment has been enrolled, further proceedings involving levy of execution on judgments, and attachment and garnishment proceedings.............................................. 15.00

(d)  For all services in connection with the issuance of a peace bond..................................................... 25.00

(e)  For celebrating a marriage, and certificate

thereof.................................................. 10.00

(f)  Commission to take depositions............   5.00

(g)  Appeal with proceedings and bond..........   5.00

          (h)  A clerk's fee to be collected in all criminal cases in which the defendant is convicted, as follows:

(i)  For all violations in Title 63 other than driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or reckless driving.   5.00

(ii)  All other criminal cases............ 25.00

(i)  A uniform fee per court case, whether civil or

criminal................................................. 10.00

(2)  The justice court shall have the power to impose a fee not to exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for an expungement or dismissal of any criminal affidavit, complaint or charge.

     (3)  In addition to the salary provided for in subsection (1) of Section 25-3-36, each justice court judge may receive a fee of not more than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each marriage ceremony he performs in the courtroom or offices of the justice court at any time the courtroom or offices are open to the public.  This fee shall be paid by the parties to the marriage.  Each justice court judge may receive money or gratuities for marriage ceremonies performed outside of and away from the courtroom and the offices of the justice court, that the parties to the marriage request to have performed at any time the courtroom or offices of the justice court are closed.  These monies or gratuities, in an amount agreed upon by the parties to the marriage, are not considered fees for the justice court and are not subject to the requirements set forth in the provisions of Section 9-11-10.

     SECTION 2.  Section 9-11-10, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     9-11-10.  No justice of the peace court shall have jurisdiction over any civil suit attempted to be filed therein unless and until all legally required court costs, as set out, but not restricted to, Sections 25-7-25 and 25-7-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, are deposited with the court.  The justice of the peace shall not file, docket, issue process, or otherwise assume jurisdiction until such costs shall have been paid.

     Any violation shall constitute a misdemeanor wherein the county court, or in the absence of a county court, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction.  Upon conviction the justice of the peace shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).

     SECTION 3.  Section 9-11-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     9-11-18.  (1)  There is hereby created in the county depository of each county a clearing account to be designated as the "Justice Court Clerk Clearing Account," in which shall be deposited (a) all such monies as the clerk of the justice court shall receive from any person complying with any writ of garnishment, attachment, execution or other like process authorized by law for the enforcement of a judgment; (b) all such monies as are received in criminal cases in the justice court pursuant to any order requiring payment as restitution to the victims of criminal offenses; (c) all cash bonds as shall be deposited with the court; (d) any portion of any fees required by law to be collected in civil cases which are to pay for the service of process or writs in another county as provided by Section 9-11-20; and (e) any other money as shall be deposited with the court, except fees paid for the services of a constable, which by its nature is not at the time of its deposit public monies, but which is to be held by the court in a trust or custodial capacity in a case or proceeding before the court.  The clerk of the justice court shall account for all monies deposited in and disbursed from such account and shall be authorized and empowered to draw and issue checks on such account at such times, in such amounts and to such persons as shall be proper and in accordance with law; provided, however, such monies as are forfeited in criminal cases shall be paid by the clerk of the justice court to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit in the general fund of the county in the same manner as provided in Section 9-11-19 for fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court.

     (2)  Any monies deposited with the court in civil cases, which are fees paid for the services of a constable, shall be reported by the clerk of the court in the same manner as provided by Section 9-11-19 and shall be considered as being fees within the meaning of such section.  It shall be the duty of the clerk of the board of supervisors to disburse such fees monthly, upon approval of the board of supervisors, to the constables entitled thereto.

     (3)  The justice court clearing account may bear interest and the clerk of the justice court shall account for all interest earned on such account and pay such interest to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit in the general fund of the county in the same manner as provided in Section 9-11-19 for fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court.

     SECTION 4.  Section 9-11-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     9-11-19.  (1)  It shall be the duty of every clerk of the justice court to receive and account for all fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court, and, monthly to report in writing under oath, to the clerk of the board of supervisors who shall upon receipt submit such report to the board of supervisors of all such fees, costs, fines and penalties received, including cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases and at least semiannually any delinquent fines and penalties, giving the date, amount and names of persons from whom such monies were received, and to pay so much thereof as shall have been received to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit into the general fund of the county.  Any clerk of the justice court who shall fail to make such report or to pay the money so received shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which such report or money is outstanding.

     (2)  The provisions of this section shall not, except as to cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, apply to monies required to be deposited in the justice court clerk clearing account as provided in Section 9-11-18, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     SECTION 5.  Section 9-11-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     9-11-21.  The clerk of the justice court is required in all cases to give to any person paying him any fees, costs or other money a uniform receipt, the form of which is to be prepared by the Attorney General.  Such receipt shall contain the particulars of such fees, costs or other money, the amount of such fees, costs or other money and such other information as the Attorney General shall deem necessary.  The county shall have printed such receipts at county expense and distribute them to the clerk of the justice court of the county.  Provided, however, that where the party filing the complaint is an entity of government, the clerk shall not be required to receive a prepayment of costs nor issue a receipt, but the clerk shall enter a notation on the docket wherein said complaint is recorded indicating that the party is exempt from payment of costs.

     SECTION 6.  Section 25-3-36, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     25-3-36.  (1)  Until October 1, 2008, every justice court judge shall receive as full compensation for his or her services, and in lieu of any and all other fees, costs or compensation heretofore authorized for such justice court judge, an annual salary based upon the population of his or her county according to the latest federal decennial census; however, no justice court judge shall be paid less than the salary authorized under this section to be paid the justice court judge based upon the population of the county according to the 1980 federal decennial census.  The amount of which salary shall be determined as follows:

          (a)  In counties with a population of more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary of Fifty-five Thousand Five Hundred Fifty-nine Dollars ($55,559.00).

          (b)  In counties with a population of more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) but not more than two hundred thousand (200,000), a salary of Fifty-one Thousand Five Dollars ($51,005.00).

          (c)  In counties with a population of more than seventy-five thousand (75,000) but not more than one hundred fifty thousand (150,000), a salary of Forty-six Thousand Four Hundred Fifty-one Dollars ($46,451.00).

          (d)  In counties with a population of more than forty-nine thousand (49,000) but not more than seventy-five thousand (75,000), a salary of Forty Thousand Seventy-five Dollars ($40,075.00).

          (e)  In counties with a population of more than thirty-four thousand (34,000) but not more than forty-nine thousand (49,000), a salary of Thirty-four Thousand Six Hundred Ten Dollars ($34,610.00).

          (f)  In counties with a population of more than twenty-four thousand five hundred (24,500) but not more than thirty-four thousand (34,000), a salary of Thirty-two Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-nine Dollars ($32,789.00).

          (g)  In counties with a population of more than twenty-one thousand (21,000) but not more than twenty-four thousand five hundred (24,500), a salary of Twenty-nine Thousand One Hundred Forty-six Dollars ($29,146.00).

          (h)  In counties with a population of more than sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500) but not more than twenty-one thousand (21,000), a salary of Twenty-five Thousand Five Hundred Two Dollars ($25,502.00).

          (i)  In counties with a population of more than twelve thousand (12,000) but not more than sixteen thousand five hundred (16,500), a salary of Twenty-one Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty-nine Dollars ($21,859.00).

          (j)  In counties with a population of more than eight thousand (8,000) but not more than twelve thousand (12,000), a salary of Eighteen Thousand Dollars ($18,000.00).

          (k)  In counties with a population of eight thousand (8,000) or less, a salary of Fourteen Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($14,400.00).

     The board of supervisors of any county having two (2) judicial districts and two (2) justice court judges for the county shall pay each justice court judge an amount equal to that provided in this subsection for judges in the next higher population category per year, if the justice court judge maintains regular office hours and is personally present in the office they maintain for at least thirty (30) hours per week.

     In any county having a population greater than eight thousand (8,000) but less than eight thousand five hundred (8,500) according to the 1990 federal decennial census and in which U.S. Highway 61 and Mississippi Highway 4 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay such justice court judges an additional amount not to exceed the sum of Eleven Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Dollars ($11,550.00) per year, payable beginning April 1, 1997.

     In any county having a population greater than ten thousand (10,000) but less than ten thousand five hundred (10,500) according to the 1990 federal decennial census and in which Mississippi Highway 3 and Mississippi Highway 6 intersect, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may pay such justice court judges an additional amount not to exceed One Thousand Four Hundred Fifty Dollars ($1,450.00) per year, payable beginning April 1, 1997.

     In any county having a population greater than twenty-four thousand seven hundred (24,700) and less than twenty-four thousand nine hundred (24,900), according to the 1990 federal census, wherein Mississippi Highways 15 and 16 intersect, the board of supervisors shall pay such justice court judge an additional amount equal to Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) per year.

     (2)  From and after October 1, 2008, every justice court judge shall receive as full compensation for his or her services, and in lieu of any and all other fees, costs or compensation heretofore authorized for such justice court judge, an annual salary in an amount that is the greater of the following:

          (a)  The amount paid to a member of the board of supervisors in the same county in which the justice court judge presides; or

          (b)  One hundred three percent (103%) of the salary authorized under this section as of September 30, 2008, for a justice court judge in that county.

     If supervisors of a county receive a salary increase, justice court judges whose salary is determined under this paragraph shall be paid an amount reflecting a commensurate increase.

     (3)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, in the event that the number of justice court judges authorized pursuant to Section 9-11-2(1) is exceeded pursuant to the provisions of Section 9-11-2(4), the aggregate of the salaries paid to the justice court judges of such a county shall not exceed the amount sufficient to pay the number of justice court judges authorized pursuant to Section 9-11-2(1), and such amount shall be equally divided among those justice court judges continuing to hold office under the provisions of Section 9-11-2(4).

     (4)  From and after January 1, 1984, all fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court shall be paid to the clerk of the justice court for deposit, along with monies from cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, into the general fund of the county as provided in Section 9-11-19; and the clerk of the board of supervisors shall be authorized and empowered, upon approval by the board of supervisors, to make disbursements and withdrawals from the general fund of the county in order to pay any reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in complying with this section, including payment of the salaries of justice court judges as provided by subsection (1) of this section.  The provisions of this subsection shall not, except as to cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, apply to monies required to be deposited in the justice court clerk clearing account as provided in Section 9-11-18, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (5)  The salaries provided for in this section shall be payable monthly by warrant drawn by the clerk of the board of supervisors on the general fund of the county; however, the board of supervisors, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may provide that such salaries shall be paid semimonthly on the first and fifteenth day of each month.  If a pay date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, salary payments shall be made on the workday immediately preceding the weekend or legal holiday.

     (6)  Provided, that the salary of any justice court judge shall not be reduced during his term of office as a result of a population change following a federal decennial census.

     (7)  Any justice court judge who is unable to attend and hold court by reason of being under suspension by the Commission on Judicial Performance or the Mississippi Supreme Court shall not receive a salary while under such suspension.

     SECTION 7.  Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     99-19-73.  (1)  Traffic violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation in Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except offenses relating to the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.) and offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:

     FUND                                                AMOUNT

State Court Education Fund............................... $  .85

State Prosecutor Education Fund.........................    1.25

Vulnerable Persons Training,

Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund................    1.50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund....................     .30

Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund.................    5.12

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund..................    5.00

Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund

     (for all moving violations)........................    5.45

Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund...............   20.00

Mississippi Leadership Council on Aging Fund............    1.00

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Death Benefits Trust Fund..........................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Disability Benefits Trust Fund......................    .15

State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

     of providing additional compensation for

     district attorneys and their legal assistants....... 10.00

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund..................   10.00

Drug Court Fund, through June 30, 2015..................   10.53

Drug Court Fund, from and after July 1, 2015............   10.00 

Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund...................................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund....................    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund.......................     .49

Public Defenders Education Fund.........................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund.........................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit.....................    2.50

Children's Justice Center Fund..........................    2.21

DuBard School for Language Disorders Fund...............     .88

Children's Advocacy Centers Fund........................    1.91

Judicial System Operation Fund,

     through June 30, 2015..............................    1.35

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT through June 30, 2015............ $ 90.50

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT

     from and after July 1, 2015........................ $ 88.62

     (2)  Implied Consent Law violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or any other penalty for any violation of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (Section 63-11-1 et seq.):

     FUND                                                AMOUNT

Crime Victims' Compensation Fund........................ $ 10.00

State Court Education Fund..............................    1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund.........................    2.00

Vulnerable Persons Training,

     Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...........    1.50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund....................     .50

Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund.................   22.00

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund..................   11.00

Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund...............   45.00

Mississippi Alcohol Safety Education Program Fund.......    5.00

Federal-State Alcohol Program Fund......................   10.00

Mississippi Crime Laboratory

     Implied Consent Law Fund...........................   25.00

Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund..................   25.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund...................................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund....................    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund.......................     .49

State General Fund......................................   35.00

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Death Benefits Trust Fund..........................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Disability Benefits Trust Fund.....................    1.00

State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

     of providing additional compensation for

     district attorneys and their legal assistants......   10.00

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund..................   10.00

Drug Court Fund.........................................   10.00

Statewide Victims' Information and

     Notification System Fund...........................    6.00

Public Defenders Education Fund.........................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund.........................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit.....................    2.50

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $243.50

     (3)  Game and Fish Law violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of the game and fish statutes or regulations of this state:

     FUND                                                AMOUNT

State Court Education Fund.............................. $  1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund.........................    2.00

Vulnerable Persons Training,

     Investigation and Prosecution Trust Fund...........    1.50

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund..................    5.00

Hunter Education and Training Program Fund..............    5.00

State General Fund......................................   30.00

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Death Benefits Trust Fund..........................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Disability Benefits Trust Fund.....................    1.00

State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

     of providing additional compensation for district

     attorneys and their legal assistants..............    10.00

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund..................   10.00

Drug Court Fund.........................................   10.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund...................................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund....................    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund.......................     .49

Public Defenders Education Fund.........................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund.........................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit.....................    2.50

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $ 89.00

     (4)  [Deleted]

     (5)  Speeding, reckless and careless driving violations.  In addition to any assessment imposed under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for driving a vehicle on a road or highway:

          (a)  At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by

at least ten (10) miles per hour but not more than twenty (20) miles per hour.................................................... $ 10.00

          (b)  At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by at least twenty (20) miles per hour but not more than thirty (30) miles per hour $ 20.00

          (c)  At a speed that exceeds the posted speed limit by thirty (30) miles per hour or more............................. $ 30.00

          (d)  In violation of Section 63-3-1201, which is the offense of reckless driving........................................ $ 10.00

          (e)  In violation of Section 63-3-1213, which is the offense of careless driving........................................ $ 10.00

     All assessments collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund established under Section 41-59-75.

     (6)  Other misdemeanors.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any misdemeanor violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration:

     FUND                                                 AMOUNT

Crime Victims' Compensation Fund........................ $ 6.92

State Court Education Fund..............................    1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund.........................    2.00

Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation

     and Prosecution Trust Fund.........................    1.50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund....................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund..................    5.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund...................................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund....................    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund.......................     .49

State General Fund......................................   30.00

State Crime Stoppers Fund...............................    1.50

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Death Benefits Trust Fund..........................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Disability Benefits Trust Fund.....................    1.00

State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

     of providing additional compensation for

     district attorneys and their legal assistants......   10.00

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund..................   10.00

Drug Court Fund.........................................    8.00

Judicial Performance Fund...............................    2.00

Statewide Victims' Information and

     Notification System Fund...........................    6.00

Public Defenders Education Fund.........................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund.........................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit.....................    2.50

Information Exchange Network Fund.......................    4.00

Motorcycle Officer Training Fund........................    1.06

Civil Legal Assistance Fund.............................    2.77

Justice Court Collections Fund..........................    7.50

Municipal Court Collections Fund........................    7.50

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $121.75

     (7)  Other felonies.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any felony violation not specified in subsection (1), (2) or (3) of this section:

     FUND                                                 AMOUNT

Crime Victims' Compensation Fund........................ $ 10.00

State Court Education Fund..............................    1.50

State Prosecutor Education Fund.........................    2.00

Vulnerable Persons Training, Investigation

     and Prosecution Trust Fund.........................    1.50

Child Support Prosecution Trust Fund....................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers Training Fund..................    5.00

Capital Defense Counsel Fund............................    2.89

Indigent Appeals Fund...................................    2.29

Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund....................    2.33

Victims of Domestic Violence Fund.......................     .49

State General Fund......................................   60.00

Criminal Justice Fund...................................   50.00

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Death Benefits Trust Fund..........................     .50

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters

     Disability Benefits Trust Fund.....................    1.00

State Prosecutor Compensation Fund for the purpose

     of providing additional compensation for

     district attorneys and their legal assistants......   10.00

Crisis Intervention Mental Health Fund..................   10.00

Drug Court Fund.........................................   10.00

Statewide Victims' Information and

     Notification System Fund...........................    6.00

Public Defenders Education Fund.........................    1.00

Domestic Violence Training Fund.........................    1.00

Attorney General's Cyber-Crime Unit.....................    2.50

Crime Laboratory DNA Identification System Fund......... 100.00

TOTAL STATE ASSESSMENT.................................. $280.50

     (8)  Additional assessments on certain violations:

          (a)  Railroad crossing violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation involving railroad crossings under Section 37-41-55, 63-3-1007, 63-3-1009, 63-3-1011, 63-3-1013 or 77-9-249:

     Operation Lifesaver Fund............................ $25.00

          (b)  Drug violations.  In addition to any monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, there shall be imposed and collected the following state assessment in addition to all other state assessments due under this section from each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for any violation of Section 41-29-139:

     Drug Evidence Disposition Fund...................... $25.00

     (9)  If a fine or other penalty imposed is suspended, in whole or in part, such suspension shall not affect the state assessment under this section.  No state assessment imposed under the provisions of this section may be suspended or reduced by the court.

     (10)  After a determination by the court of the amount due, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to promptly collect all state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section.  The state assessments imposed under the provisions of this section may not be paid by personal check.  It shall be the duty of the chancery clerk of each county to deposit all such state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor.  The chancery clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the circuit, county and justice courts in such county during such month.  It shall be the duty of the municipal clerk of each municipality to deposit all such state assessments collected in the municipal court in such municipality on a monthly basis with the State Treasurer pursuant to appropriate procedures established by the State Auditor.  The municipal clerk shall make a monthly lump-sum deposit of the total state assessments collected in the municipal court in such municipality under this section, and shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration the total number of violations under each subsection for which state assessments were collected in the municipal court in such municipality during such month.

     (11)  It shall be the duty of the Department of Finance and Administration to deposit on a monthly basis all such state assessments into the proper special fund in the State Treasury.  The monthly deposit shall be based upon the number of violations reported under each subsection and the pro rata amount of such assessment due to the appropriate special fund.  The Department of Finance and Administration shall issue regulations providing for the proper allocation of these special funds.

     (12)  The State Auditor shall establish by regulation procedures for refunds of state assessments, including refunds associated with assessments imposed before July 1, 1990, and refunds after appeals in which the defendant's conviction is reversed.  The Auditor shall provide in such regulations for certification of eligibility for refunds and may require the defendant seeking a refund to submit a verified copy of a court order or abstract by which such defendant is entitled to a refund.  All refunds of state assessments shall be made in accordance with the procedures established by the Auditor.

     SECTION 8.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.