Notice of Changes to Certain Criminal Administrative Fees and Charges – Implementation of Assembly Bill 1869

Effective July 1, 2021

On July 1, 2021, local agencies are not allowed to assess or collect certain administrative fees to an individual for their involvement in the criminal justice system.  Under this new California law, Assembly Bill (AB) 1869, the following fees will not be assessed or collected beginning July 1, 2021:

  • Criminal justice administrative fees
  • Probation supervision, investigation report, or jurisdictional transfer fees
  • Fees associated with the cost of counsel
  • Electronic monitoring fee in lieu of bail or jail, or as a probation condition
  • Work furlough fees

In addition, AB 1869 no longer allows the County of San Diego to collect the listed fees that were assessed before July 1, 2021. However, individuals may still be charged for restitution (which are payments to crime victims), restitution fines (which are fixed amounts paid to a state restitution fund), and other designated fees. 

If you have additional questions about AB 1869, please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” information below.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  • Why has the County stopped assessing these fees as of July 1, 2021?

    Assembly Bill 1869, effective July 1, 2021, limits the authority of local agencies to assess and collect certain fees for individuals involved in criminal justice system. 

     

  • Which fees is the County no longer assessing or collecting as of July 1, 2021?

    Starting July 1, 2021, San Diego County will no longer assess or collect these fees and charges:

    • Criminal justice administrative fees (California Government Code Sections 29550(c), 29550.1, 29550.2, 29550.3)
    • Administrative screening fee for those arrested, OR, upon conviction (California Government Code Section 29550(f)) – the County continues to have authority to collect these costs under California Penal Code Section 1463.07
    • Registration of counsel fee (California Penal Code Section 987.5)
    • All cost of counsel fees (California Penal Code Section 987.8)
    • Cost of counsel fees for minors in criminal court (California Penal Code Section 987.4)
    • Interstate compact supervision fee (California Penal Code Section 1203)
    • Home detention fee (California Penal Code Section 1203.016)
    • Electronic monitoring fee in lieu of bail or jail, as probation condition (California Penal Code Sections 1203.018, 1210.15)
    • Probation supervision, investigation report, or jurisdictional transfer fees (California Penal Code Section 1203.1 b)
    • Installment processing fee (California Penal Code Section 1203.lb)
    • Parole supervision fee (California Penal Code Section 1203.le)
    • Work furlough administration fee (California Penal Code Section 1208.2)
    • Work furlough, home detention, county parole fee (California Penal Code Section 1208.2)
    • Voluntary work release program fee (California Penal Code Section 4024.2)

     

  • If I received a bill for one of the listed fees for charges assessed to me before July 1, 2021, do I still owe these charges?

    No. Starting July 1, 2021, San Diego County will no longer collect on charges associated with the listed fees that were incurred prior to July 1, 2021.

     

  • If I made a payment to the Office of Revenue and Recovery prior to July 1, 2021, for one of the fees or costs impacted by AB 1869, will I receive a refund?

    No. Costs and fees assessed and paid prior to July 1, 2021, were valid and enforceable. Any payments made prior to July 1, 2021, not in excess of the amount due, will not be refunded.

     

  • If I have questions about my bill or a letter I have received, who can I talk to?

    If you have questions about a bill or letter you have received from the County about your case, please contact your attorney or the County department that sent the bill or letter. Department contact numbers are available here:

    • Public Defender’s Office: For questions about court-appointed lawyer fees, please call 619-338-4818.
    • Probation Department: For questions regarding adult probation fees, please call 619-515-8202.
    • Office of Revenue and Recovery: For questions related to a bill you received from the Office of Revenue and Recovery, please call at 619-515-6200. Please have your account number ready.

     

  • Does AB 1869 apply to individuals in the criminal justice system in all California counties?

    Yes. Assembly Bill 1869 applies to all counties within the state of California.