CS/CS/HB 135 Summary

• Authorizes court clerks to withhold funds from returned cash bonds to cover unpaid costs of prosecution, costs of representation, court fees, court costs, and criminal penalties.

• Requires cash bond forms to prominently display notice that all posted funds are subject to withholding by the court clerk regardless of who posted the funds.

• If insufficient funds remain in the bond to cover all costs, the court clerk must obtain immediate payment from the defendant or enroll the defendant in a payment plan.

• Clarifies that court clerks must collect and dispense cost payments in all cases regardless of how the case disposition is determined.

• Requires juveniles adjudicated delinquent or with adjudication of delinquency withheld to be assessed costs of prosecution under section 938.27.

• Effective date: July 1, 2012.