Section 21. Payment and Disposition of Fines and Forfeitures, 15-21-1 through 15-21-209.
ARTICLE 8
FUNDING FOR LOCAL VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
15-21-131. Imposition of additional fines.
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In every case in which any court of this state or any municipality or political subdivision of this state shall impose a fine, which shall be construed to include costs, for any criminal offense or any criminal ordinance violation, there shall be imposed as an additional penalty a sum equal to 5 percent of the original fine.
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Such sums shall be in addition to any amount required by Code Section 47-17-60 to be paid into the Peace Officers' Annuity and Benefit Fund and in addition to any other amounts provided for in this chapter.
(Code 1981, §15-21-131, enacted by Ga. L. 1995, p. 260, § 3; Ga. L. 1997, p. 551, § 1.)
OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Traffic offenses.
- Imposition of the five percent additional penalty includes chargeable traffic offenses. 1997 Op. Att'y Gen. No. U97-28.
Additional penalty.
- Additional penalty imposed under O.C.G.A.
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15-21-131 should be collected in traffic cases, unless there is a specific exception in which the accused posts a cash bond that is subsequently forfeited and applied as a fine in lieu of the accused appearing in court. 2006 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 2006-1.