Bill would authorize fine deductions from cash bonds

The Judiciary Committee heard testimony Feb. 24 on a bill that would authorize fines or costs to be deducted from a defendant’s cash bond.

Under LB722, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash, courts would be allowed to deduct from a convicted person’s bond as an alternative to ordering a lump sum payment of court costs.

Coash said the bill would provide a mechanism to withhold portions of a bond to recover court costs and would provide additional revenue for courts.

Kerry Eagan, chief administrative officer for the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners, testified in support of the bill, saying many defendants are able to post their bonds but fail to pay court costs. The county still is responsible for any incurred costs, Eagan said, so it would make sense to collect these funds at the time they are available.

Seven percent of Lancaster County’s inmate population is serving time for unpaid fines, Eagan said, so the bill also would reduce the county’s inmate population.

No opposing testimony was given and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.