Getting a traffic ticket became a bit more expensive today.
The Kansas Supreme Court, as authorized by state lawmakers, is increasing court costs for those cited into district or magistrate courts across the state.
The $7.50 increase means a defendant would pay $93.50 if he is cited. Before today, court costs were $86.
The higher costs will go directly to a Judicial Branch Surcharge Fund, created last year to help alleviate the $15.9 million which had been cut from the judicial branch’s budget.
For Allen Countians, that means a motorist cited for driving 10 mph over the speed limit will face $123.50, including court costs. The fine formerly was $116.
The only exceptions to the court costs could be both Sedgwick and Johnson counties, which could face higher court costs if they charge an additional fee for their law libraries.
The higher costs will not affect many defendants in Iola Municipal Court, Susie Call, municipal court clerk, told the Register. The only Municipal Court defendants affected would be ones having to pay a higher driver’s license reinstatement fee, she said.
In other court-related news, many Kansas courts have incorporated an online way to pay citations.
Defendants can pay their fines at www.citepayusa.com. There, they must select their state and which court in which the ticket was issued. Other information, such as the citation or case number and the driver’s date of birth, also must be entered.
Not all Kansas counties will be using the system. Allen County does. Others are not yet online.
Court costs on rise
