Where Does Your Bail or Fine Money Go?
Your fine includes a Base Fine plus
- Penalty Assessments,
- Surcharge, Security Fee, Conviction Assessment Fee, and a
- Prior Admin Fee.
It may also include Traffic School Fees or Proof of Correction Fees.
Base Bail or Fine
Base Bail or Fine amount is generally established in the applicable code section, or in the Local or Statewide Bail & Penalty Schedule.
Penalty Assessment
The Penalty Assessment is an amount added to base bail and base fines on infraction, misdemeanor and felony offenses. The current penalty assessment (eff. January 1, 2009), is $26 for each $10 or portion of $10 of fine or bail as set by the California State Legislature.
The $26 Penalty Assessment is charged pursuant to Penal Code Sec 1464 and Government Codes 76000, 70372, 76104.6, 76104.7 and 76000.5.
Surcharge, Security Fee or Conviction Assessment
In addition to the penalty assessments, effective August 17, 2003, a $20 court security fee will be added for each infraction, misdemeanor or felony violation resulting in a conviction pursuant to PC 1465.8. Effective Jan 1, 2009, an assessment in the amt of $30 for each misdemeanor or felony and $35 for each infraction will be added for each conviction (GC 70373).
There is also a 20% State Surcharge, effective since Sept 20, 2002 imposed on the base bail or base fine amt. This 20% may not be used to calculate the Penalty Assessment per each $10 of fine. These penalties are also included in the calculation for traffic school.
Prior Administration Fee
Pursuant to Vehicle Code Sec 40508.6, in addition to the Penalty Assessment, ten dollars ($10) is collected for violation of any section of the Vehicle Code or local ordinance adopted pursuant to the Vehicle Code.
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Example of fine amount for vehicle code: |
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Where the money goes: |
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Base fine amt |
$20.00 |
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Court automation 2%, |
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Penalty Assessment |
$52.00 |
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State penalty fund (PC 1464) $20.00 |
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County penalty fund (GC 76000) $10.00 |
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To the state court facilities construction fund (GC 70372) $10.00 |
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DNA Identification Fund (GC 76104.6 and GC 76104.7) $4.00 |
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State Surcharge 20% |
$4.00 |
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State Gen Fund (PC 1465.7) |
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Court Security Fee |
$20.00 |
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To fund security in the trial courts (PC 1465.8) |
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Conviction Assess Fee |
$35.00 |
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To fund building/maintaining trial courts (GC 70373(a)(1)) |
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Prior Admin |
$10.00 |
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Fee for maintaining a record of prior convictions (VC40508.6) |
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Total Fine |
$141.00 |
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Traffic School
Traffic School calculation is based on base fine + Penalty Assessment + Security fee + State surcharge + Conviction Assessment + Administrative fee + costs of traffic school instruction.
Effective January 1, 2009, the Administrative Fee is $65.
Proof of Correction
Effective Jan 1, 2009, when submitting proof of correction on a correctable violation, the fee is $25 for each correctable violation.
The Court’s Responsibility
The trial courts are required to follow the laws passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. They are not responsible for creating those laws. If you are concerned with the amount of your fine, contact your state legislator.
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