House To Vote On Court Cost Increase To Help Bail Out Judicial System
By: Staff Report
Updated: May 2, 2012
"Its on the brink of the clerks offices statewide not being able to accommodate the job that we were put here to do," said Jefferson County Circuit Clerk Anne-Marie Adams. "There will be more 80,000 cases filed in this court in this year with only 40 percent of the staff."
Houston County Circuit Clerk Carla Woodall agrees. "I'll have to cut hours our office is open and it (the funding crises) could get so bad I am the only employee working (in the clerk's office).
Under HB688, fees would increase $20 for certain civil cases in circuit and district courts and criminal cases in circuit, district and municipal courts. A $15 fee would be added to small-claims cases.
"I'm not happy that we would increase filing fees, but I think I would be less happy if we had to shut down the court system," added Adams.
