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55 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, September 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 9, 2004 Since you asked Fines split according to agency An out-of-state friend recently asked me how the funds from traffic citations are distributed in Oregon and how that distribution may vary depending on the agency issuing the citation. I didn’t have the slightest idea. For example, where would the $94 for a failure to wear a seat belt go if the citation was issued by Oregon State Police, Medford police, or the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department? — Shirley W., Grants Pass We considered consulting an accountant to get your answer because traffic fines are divided into more parts and pieces than most court officials can keep straight. Some aspects of the funds’ distribution can change each legislative session. In general, half of any court fine is paid to the governmental entity that operates the court while half is paid to the police agency’s jurisdiction, said Bradd Swank, spokesman for the Oregon Judicial Department. So if a traffic ticket is issued by Medford police and processed in Municipal Court, the city collects the entire fee. The fine, however, is only part of the money owed for a traffic offense. For example, of the $94 imposed for failure to wear a seat belt, $45 of that is the actual fine — divided as we explained above. Another $37 is a "unitary assessment," all of which is paid to the state. An additional $12 is awarded to the county in which the ticket was issued. State law used to dictate spending of the unitary assessment, but legislators now decide, Swank said. The money typically is deposited into the general fund with portions paying for the Oregon State Police Academy, criminal forensics labs and various other programs, he said. On the local level, 60 percent of county assessments are used for adult and juvenile corrections and approved drug and alcohol programs. Courts get 40 percent of the funds to spend on security measures. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities