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Commission approves $12.50 fee on convicted defendants to fund district attorney's needs
Summary
The commission approved a resolution that authorizes a $12.50 fee assessed on convicted defendants (waived for indigent defendants) to create a local revenue source for the district attorney's office for items such as software licenses and victim services.
The Shelby County Board approved a resolution authorizing a $12.50 charge on convicted defendants who are not indigent, modeled on the existing public‑defender fund arrangement. District Attorney representative described likely uses — including license renewals and forensic or software support — and said the fee would be administered by clerk's offices and waived when a court determines a defendant indigent. "We will waive the fee if the defendant is indigent," the district attorney's office stated during debate.
Supporters argued the modest fee targets defendants with means and can fund time‑sensitive needs such as digital forensic tools and victim services; opponents raised concerns the fee is regressive and that administrative costs or collection may disproportionately affect low‑income people. The motion passed on a recorded vote (9 ayes, 2 no, 1 abstain).
