Oklahoma HB 1974: Criminal procedure; authorizing courts to defer payment of outstanding fines, court costs and fees under certain circumstances; effective date.

Bill Text

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STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 57th Legislature (2019)

HOUSE BILL 1974 By: Ford

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to criminal procedure; authorizing
courts to defer payment of outstanding fines, court
costs and fees under certain circumstances; providing
for the waiver or reduction of fines, courts costs
and fees under certain circumstances; prohibiting the
deferment, waiver or reduction of restitution or
child support obligations; providing for
codification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 983c of Title 22, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Beginning November 1, 2019, the court shall have the
authority to defer payment of all outstanding fines, courts costs
and fees in a criminal case for any person who:
1. Served a period of imprisonment in the custody of the
Department of Corrections after conviction for a crime;
2. Has been released from the custody of the Department of
Corrections;

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3. Has complied with all probation or supervision requirements
since being released from the custody of the Department of
Corrections; and
4. Not less than thirty (30) days after release from custody of
the Department of Corrections, has secured admission to and enrolled
in an institution which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of
Higher Education or a career and technology education program and
has provided proof of such admission and enrollment to the court.
B. Upon successful graduation or completion of training and
course work required for certification, the court shall have the
authority to waive or reduce all outstanding fines, court costs and
fees owed by the person in every felony or misdemeanor case filed in
a district court or criminal case filed in a municipal court of this
state.
C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to amounts
owed by the person for restitution to a victim pursuant to a court
order or child support obligations pursuant to a court order.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2019.

57-1-6022 GRS 01/11/19