NCJ Number
140190
Date Published
1993
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This monograph explores the issue of dedicated funding sources and provides examples of some State and local approaches to collecting monetary penalties for arrest, conviction, or pretrial diversion for a drug law offense or other offense.
Abstract
The funding sources include fines for convicted offenders, asset seizure and forfeiture funds, jail fees, court fees, restitution, and lottery proceeds. In addition, notoriety-for-profit laws can be expanded so that the profits a notorious criminal makes from publication of the story of the crime can be used to reimburse victims and the public. Innovative concepts include day fines, an inmate welfare fund, and a small law enforcement fee assessed in all criminal proceedings. The funds obtained from these sources may be used in any manner the State or community sees fit, such as drug abuse prevention, drug treatment, law enforcement, and criminal processing. Typically, the various forms of revenue production are appropriated or "earmarked" for certain programs or purposes. Sometimes convicted offenders are required to pay part or all of the costs of their own prosecutions. In this way, taxpayers are relieved of at least some of the costs of crimes. The dedicated funding sources described all aim to reduce and eliminate the profit motive from illegal drug trafficking, to help simplify processes and procedures to improve court case flow, and to reduce the burden these crimes place on law- abiding citizens. Tables, map, and 49 references