§45-20-82.65. Collection of fees; disposition of funds.

After a matter has been transferred to the district attorney under Section 45-20-82.63, a court shall assess a collection fee of 30 percent of the funds due which shall be added to the amount of funds due. Any amount collected pursuant to this subpart shall be distributed as follows:

(1) Sixty-five percent of the collection fee shall be distributed to the county District Attorney Fund to be expended for lawful purposes for the operation of the office of the district attorney. Funds provided to the district attorney by this subpart shall not reduce the amount payable to the district attorney under any local law or general law or reduce or affect the amounts of funding of the budget allocated by law. The funds shall be audited as all other state funds are audited.

(2) Ten percent of the collection fee shall be distributed to the Covington County General Fund to be used by and solely for law enforcement purposes in the office of the sheriff.

(3) Twenty-five percent of the collection fee shall be distributed to the Circuit Clerk's Fund which shall be kept and maintained by the circuit clerk in a separate account to be used for the operation of the office of the clerk to include, but not be limited to, equipment purchases, education, and other office-related expenses including personnel. Funds retained by the circuit clerk shall not reduce the amount payable to the circuit clerk under any local law or general law or reduce or affect the amounts of funding of the budget of the circuit clerk allocated by the Administrative Office of Courts. The funds shall be audited as all other state funds are audited. All fees, fines, penalties, charges, court costs, and bail bond forfeitures other than the collection fee shall be disbursed as provided by law on a monthly basis.

(4) This subpart shall not affect the right of the office of the district attorney to proceed with the prosecution of any violation as currently provided by law.

(Act 94-807, p. 125, §6.)