CLB approves $12.50 court clerk fee to support district attorney general conference funding

The CLB approved a resolution to authorize a $12.50 clerk fee added to court costs in criminal cases under new state law language that the county attorney and presenters described during the meeting.

County officials said the statute (cited during discussion as an enactment of the current legislative session) permits courts to add $12.50 to criminal court costs and directs the funds to the district attorney general’s conference fund for purposes the statute enumerates, including victim transportation and related support in multi‑county judicial districts. Presenter Joe Dunston said the amount is placed on court costs and is collected by the clerk; funds are held and distributed at the judicial‑district level and can be used in any county within that district even if a particular county did not adopt the fee.

Why it matters: presenters said the funds will provide district‑level resources to assist victims, such as transportation to court and other needs, and that they must be accounted for in an annual report to specified legislative committees.

Discussion vs. decision: CLB members asked whether the funds would be spent in Cobb County if other counties in the judicial district do not adopt the fee; presenters explained the statute places funds in the district pool and the district has authority to allocate. The CLB approved the resolution by roll‑call vote.

Ending: The resolution was adopted and staff will implement the administrative changes in clerk procedures to collect the authorized fee.