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Committee votes to eliminate many juvenile court fees and shift costs; public defender raises workload concern
Summary
Senate Bill 340 would eliminate many fines and fees assessed in juvenile delinquency proceedings and transfer court‑service burdens away from families. Supporters urged the change as part of rehabilitation goals; the Public Defender Commission warned it could increase appointments and strain defender resources.
Sen. Allen Clark presented Senate Bill 340 to remove many fines and fees in juvenile delinquency cases and to stop passing modest courthouse costs to families and children. Kristen Harper of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families described the policy rationale: fines and fees can keep juveniles and their…
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