Ben Hill County; Magistrate Court; authorize assessment and collection of a technology fee

New technology fees in Ben Hill court

The Ben Hill County Magistrate Court clerk can collect technology fees set by the chief magistrate. Fees cannot exceed $5 per civil case filed or $5 added to each fine assessed. The clerk must keep this money in a separate account used only for listed court technology needs. Allowed uses include computer hardware, software, and accessories, plus leasing, maintenance, and installation of computer hardware. Funds also cover buying, leasing, maintaining, and installing imaging, scanning, fax, communications, projection, and printing equipment and software. They can also pay for services or equipment to turn court records and archives into digital content for public access. Authority to charge these fees ends July 1, 2036; leftover money remains reserved for general Ben Hill County technology uses.