AR SB353

Allows incarcerated persons in the Arkansas Department of Corrections to request a complete compilation of all outstanding arrest warrants, criminal summons, and pending misdemeanor cases against them from the department.

Permits incarcerated persons to petition courts to resolve pending misdemeanor offenses and to enter guilty or nolo contendere pleas remotely via real-time audio and visual feed, subject to judicial and local court rules.

Encourages courts to impose sentences of incarceration only rather than fining convicted persons, though courts retain full authority to impose financial obligations as appropriate.

Creates the Criminal Justice Task Force on Offender Court Costs and Collections composed of 17 members from legislative, judicial, executive, and law enforcement agencies to study methods of assessing and collecting fines, fees, restitution, and other financial obligations.

Requires the task force to report findings by October 31, 2022 and to study feasibility of notifying outside entities when persons with court financial obligations win lottery prizes, sell property, or are released from parole or probation early; task force expires December 31, 2022.