Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners ask staff to research options for recouping county criminal‑justice costs
Summary
Chair raised a proposal to pursue mechanisms — liens, small‑claims judgments, or tax‑return intercepts — to recover some county incarceration and public‑safety costs from defendants; commissioners asked staff to research legal constraints and practices in other counties.
Chair opened a discussion about whether Daviess County can recoup some county criminal‑justice costs from defendants, for example by placing liens on real property or pursuing judgments for unpaid court costs and probation fees.
The chair framed the idea by noting county costs for the criminal justice system and asking whether a lien or other collection mechanism could be used so taxpayers do not bear the full burden. The sheriff cautioned that some jurisdictions’ booking fees were found unconstitutional, and staff discussed alternatives including small‑claims filings to obtain judgments and the use of tax‑refund intercept/collection services (Trex) to collect judgments, court costs and property taxes. Shelby noted that, once a judgment is obtained, it can be collected against real estate or wages.
Commissioners directed staff to research practices used by other counties, including Knox County, and to report back. No formal policy change was adopted; the board asked staff to investigate legal feasibility and collection mechanisms.
