The bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to court fees. Notably, it adjusts the fees charged by the clerk of the supreme court, increasing the fee for filing records on appeal from $125 to $250. Additionally, the bill modifies the fees for filing civil cases in district court, raising the fee for non-small claims actions from $81 to $160, and establishes a new fee structure for petitions related to dissolution of marriage, annulment, or separation, setting it at $160. The bill also specifies the distribution of these fees, directing portions to the civil legal services fund and the displaced homemaker account.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new court administration fee structure for criminal cases, replacing the previous court costs with a set fee based on the severity of the offense, ranging from $125 for class B misdemeanors to $900 for class A or AA felonies. It also includes an indigent defense and court facilities fee of $100, with specific allocations for indigent defense services and court facilities maintenance. The bill allows for the waiver of certain fees for defendants demonstrating indigency and provides for the possibility of installment payments for assessed fees. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline court fee structures and enhance funding for legal services and court facilities.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 12.1-32-08, 27-01-10, 27-03-05, 27-05.2-03, 29-26-22
Adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee: 12.1-32-08, 27-01-10, 27-03-05, 27-05.2-03, 29-26-22
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 12.1-32-08, 27-01-10, 27-03-05, 27-05.2-03, 29-26-22
Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee: 12.1-32-08, 27-03-05, 27-05.2-03, 29-26-22
Enrollment: 12.1-32-08, 27-03-05, 27-05.2-03, 29-26-22
PREFILED: 12.1-32-08, 27-01-10, 27-03-05, 27-05.2-03, 29-26-22