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Prison board votes to send magistrate video-hearing proposal and $150 live-scan fee to president judge
Summary
The Lawrence County Prison Board voted March 18 to submit a proposal to establish a dedicated magistrate/video-hearing window and a draft order setting a $150 fee for live-scan processing to the president judge for his consideration; both actions were approved by roll call.
The Lawrence County Prison Board voted to submit two administrative proposals to the president judge: a scheduling proposal to create a dedicated window for magisterial district judge video hearings and a draft court order proposing a $150 fee for each person processed through the county live-scan machine.
The board discussed that magistrate hearings and ad-hoc video arraignments disrupt jail operations and that a scheduled window could reduce movement and staffing burdens. The chair said the packet had been circulated to members and that the president judge retains sole authority to accept, modify or reject the proposal.
On the live-scan fee, board members asked how the charge would be collected. Officials explained the fee would be assessed to the case as a court cost, similar to central booking or clerk fees, and that creation of a county revenue line item would follow if the president judge approves the administrative order.
Both measures were moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The board emphasized these were submissions for the president judge’s decision rather than unilateral changes by the prison board.
What happens next: The proposals will be forwarded to the president judge for review; the jail will implement any changes only after the judge’s determination. The board will provide updates at the next meeting.
