§ 16-90-1501 — Legislative findings and intent

(a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) Arkansas law requires offenders to pay legal financial obligations to the state, cities, and counties imposed by various courts and law enforcement agencies; (2) Missed payments for fines and fees may lead to charges in court for failure to pay, failure to appear, and contempt, all of which result in additional fines and penalties; and (3) It is in the state's interest to study the efficacy of streamlining the assessment and collection of financial obligations for incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individuals. (b) The General Assembly intends to create a framework, consistent with Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 80, and the constitutional prerogatives of the state's prosecuting attorneys and judges, to enable persons who are incarcerated in the Department of Corrections to resolve all pending misdemeanor offenses committed within this state and assist in the identification of corresponding fines, fees, and costs resulting from those misdemeanor offenses. (c) This subchapter does not limit a court's ability to impose a financial obligation against any person who has been convicted of an offense.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2021, No. 1048,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.