Bill to charge $100 for missing criminal court date advances in Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — Counties and cities would be allowed to impose a $100 fee on anyone accused of a crime who fails to appear in court and has to be pursued by law enforcement authorities, under a bill approved by a House Judiciary committee Thursday.
The legislation (HB 6141) is sponsored by state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet. It now moves to the House floor.
“It takes time and money to have officers go out and pick up these people,” Rose said. “I’ve always wondered, Why are taxpayers on the hook for someone who blows off court?”
He estimated that the bill could provide cash-strapped cities and counties with at least $35 million a year in new revenue. In Champaign County alone, Rose said, the legislation could mean at least $70,000 a year.
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Oh My God....isn't it bad enough if you don't show that you forfeit the bond money you've posted? Now they want ANOTHER 100 bucks? For the love of God,why can't these people live within their means and quit trying to screw the public out of even more money? You can't tell me that these county and state entities are LOSING money because some poor schmuck doesn't show for a court date,only to be caught at a later date...just seems to me that all they want to do is generate more money so they can show they're making more money so they can overextend themselves yet again...