Fines from Drug Offenses

All fines from drug offenses must be turned over to the local government of the arresting agency. T.C.A. § 39-17-420. T.C.A. § 39-17-428(c)(1) requires that 50 percent of each fine go to the city’s General Fund and 50 percent to the city’s Drug Fund special revenue account.

Most state courts, including General Sessions and Criminal (Circuit) Courts, allow defendants to pay their fines and court costs on the easy monthly payment plan. The law requires the clerk to apply payments to satisfy state fees first, then court costs, and then the fine. The clerk will then begin forwarding the payments to the city. The proper action for the city recorder is to put 50 percent of each payment in the General Fund and the remainder of each payment in the Drug Fund special revenue account. T.C.A. § 39-17-420, T.C.A. § 39-17-428.