FINAL BILL REPORT

                           ESSB 5452

                          C 355 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Requiring misdemeanants to pay jail costs.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Deccio, Oke and Hochstatter)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONS

BACKGROUND:

Superior court judges are allowed to order defendants convicted of felonies to pay for the cost of their incarceration.  The court first determines that the defendant has the ability to pay the cost of his or her incarceration, in addition to any other financial obligations imposed.  If the court determines that the defendant can pay for the costs of incarceration, the court has the discretion to order $50 per day of incarceration be paid by the defendant.

SUMMARY:

Superior and district court judges may order defendants convicted of misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors to pay for the cost of their incarceration at the rate of up to $50 per day.  Indigent defendants are not required to pay the costs of incarceration.  The cost of incarceration is not recovered until all other legal financial obligations are paid.  The funds received can be used by the cities or counties for criminal justice purposes.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    48   0

House     97   1    (House amended)

Senate    40   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993