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

New technology fees for Berrien court users

The law allows Berrien County’s Magistrate Court to charge up to $5 for each civil case filed. It also allows an extra charge of up to $5 on each fine the court assesses. The chief magistrate sets the amounts, and the court clerk collects the fees. The clerk must keep this money in a separate account for approved court technology needs only. Approved uses include buying computers, software, and accessories, plus leasing, installing, and maintaining computer hardware. Funds can also cover imaging, scanning, fax, communications, projection, and printing equipment and software, and digitizing records for public access. Authority to charge the fees ends July 1, 2036. Any money left remains dedicated to general Berrien County technology uses.