This bill amends the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically section 1k of chapter IX, to clarify the financial obligations of defendants upon entering a guilty plea or being found guilty. It mandates that at sentencing, the court must impose minimum state costs and may also impose various fines and costs related to the case, including those for court operations and legal assistance. Notably, the bill extends the timeframe for imposing costs related to actual trial court expenses from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2028.

Additionally, the bill outlines the court's authority to collect payments through wage assignments and allows for the application of excess payments to other fines or costs owed by the defendant. It requires courts to provide defendants with information about imposed costs and mandates annual reporting to the state court administrative office regarding the costs imposed and collected. Importantly, it stipulates that defendants cannot be incarcerated for nonpayment of costs unless they have the means to pay and have not made a good-faith effort to do so.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 769.1
As Passed by the House: 769.1