Title
Ordinance to Amend and Reenact Chapter 1 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia Entitled “General Provisions” by Amending Sections 1-15, 1-16, 1-17 and 1-18 and adding Section 1-19 to provide that an additional five dollars will be added to the costs in each criminal or traffic case in the Hampton courts to provide additional funding for the Hampton Police Division’s Criminal Justice Academy
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
This Ordinance would add a total of $5.00 to the court costs of each traffic or criminal conviction in Circuit Court, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. This revenue would be used to support the Hampton Police Training Academy. This fee is specifically authorized by the Virginia Code.
Discussion/Impact:
During Fiscal Year 2015, the Treasurer’s Office collected $277,806.49 from the Courthouse Security Fee, which adds $10.00 to court costs. Halving that amount for this $5.00 fee provides for approximately $138,000.00 in expected revenue for the training academy. The Clerks of Court need 30 days to prepare for implementation of this ordinance, so we have included an effective date of November 1st, 2016.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve the Ordinance.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia that Section 1-15, 1-16, 1-17, 1-18 of Chapter 1 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia be amended, and Section 1-19 of Chapter 1 of the City Code of the City of Hampton, Virginia be added, to read as follows:
Chapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Sec. 1-15. - Assessment of additional court costs to support Hampton’s local criminal justice training academy.
Pursuant to Section 9.1-106 of the Code of Virginia, the clerks of the circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations district courts located within the city shall assess and collect a fee of five dollars in every case in which costs are assessable pursuant to the Code of Virginia, §§ 16.1-69.48:1, 17.1-275.1, 17.1-275.2, 17.1-275.3, 17.1-275.4, 17.1-275.7, 17.1-275.8, and 17.1-275.9.
The assessment provided for in this section shall be in addition to all other costs prescribed by law and shall be collected by the clerk of each court and remitted to the treasurer of this city and held by such treasurer subject to appropriation by the city council. All funds collected pursuant to this ordinance shall be used to support the Hampton Police Division Training Academy.
This section shall be effective on January 1, 2017.
Sec. 1-16. - Jail processing fee imposed on certain individuals; use of revenue by sheriff’s office.
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Sec. 1-17. - History notes.
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Sec. 1-18. - Editor’s notes and references.
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Sec. 1-19. - Altering Code.
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