Disbursment of Fines and Costs in Civil Infraction Cases
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Disbursment of Fines and Costs in Civil
Infraction Cases
ELIZABETH A. CAMPBELL* AND TANYA M. MARCUM**
In 2001 the district courts processed over 1,800,000 traffic civil
infractions'
I. INTRODUCTION
This is the third in a trilogy of articles addressing the rationale,
assessments, and disbursement of costs imposed by Michigan courts
for civil infractions. The initial study focused on the disparity in
assessment of fines and costs for civil infractions.2 That report
identified not only the degree of disparity among the 98 Michigan
district3 and municipal' courts in assessing an amount for a particular
civil infraction, but also discussed the extent to which the State Court
Administrative Office (SCAO)6 is cognizant of such assessments. As
* Associate Professor, Department Finance and Law, Central Michigan University,
J.D. Detroit College of Law (1967).
* Assistant Professor, Department of Finance and Law, Central Michigan University,
J.D. Thomas Cooley Law School (1987).
1. Information provided by the State Court Administrator in letter dated
October 16, 2002. Original available from authors.
2. Elizabeth A. Campbell & Tanya M. Marcum, Disparity in Assessment of Fines
and Costs by Michigan Courts in Civil Infraction Cases, 79 U. DET. MERCY L. REv 229-68
(2002).
3. There are 83 counties in Michigan; more populous counties have more than
one district court. In addition, there are 5 municipal courts, making the total 98.
MICH. B.J. 216 (Apr. 2002).
4. The 5 Municipal Courts still operating in Michigan are Eastpointe, Grosse
Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, and Grosse Pointe Woods. MICH.
B.J., 131 (Apr. 2002).
5. Campbell & Marcum, supra note 2, at 242-68. This article demonstrates in
bar graph, histogram, and chart formats the highest and lowest amounts assessed by
60 counties for eleven civil infractions in Michigan.
6. SCAO was created pursuant to the Constitution of the State of Michigan,
Article VI, § 3 which states: The supreme court shall appoint an administrator of the
courts and other assistants of the supreme court as may be necessary to aid in the
administration of the courts of [the] state. The administrator shall perform
administrative duties assigned by the court. MICH. CONST. 1963 art. VI. § 3. The](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/udetmr80&div=28&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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Disbursment of Fines and Costs in Civil Infraction Cases
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