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Judge says traffic citations and new diversion rules are increasing local fines; court flags jail-fee and staffing pressure
Summary
Municipal Judge Phillip Williams and court clerk Tiffany Garvey told Junction City Council that traffic citations are up and diversion practices now require payment plus class attendance; clerk noted jail-fee invoicing and rising costs for attorney/interpreter services that will affect the budget.
Judge Phillip Williams told the council the court has shifted diversion practice so defendants now pay the fine and take classes rather than receiving a full break, a change the judge said helps avoid insurance reporting and emphasizes public safety. "Instead, you pay the fine, you take the class, and you don't give any more tickets for 6 months," Williams said, adding the goal is to change driver behavior and reduce repeat offenses.
Court clerk Tiffany Garvey presented a financial breakdown showing local fines are up and more of that revenue is remaining locally than some residents expect. Garvey said jail-fee invoicing to Lane County will be roughly $9,000 so far with about 50 jail days outstanding, which raises the estimated annual jail-fee expense to about $15,500. She also flagged that court-appointed-attorney and interpreter fees are higher than expected and recommended increased travel/training and staffing considerations during the upcoming budget process. "We've gone from being a liability to the overall budget to now we are able to contribute," Garvey said of court revenues, while cautioning about underbudgeted line items and additional jail costs if failures to appear continue to decline.
