Missouri to appeal ruling that partly voids traffic fines cap

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Missouri to appeal ruling that partly voids traffic fines cap

Reuters
By Sue Britt
4 hours ago

ST. LOUIS (Reuters) - Missouri will appeal a court ruling striking down parts of a law passed last year that limits revenue cities can raise from traffic tickets after public outcry over the effect of fines on minorities, the state's attorney general said on Tuesday.

The law, Senate Bill 5, limits the amount of revenue collected from traffic fines by St. Louis County municipalities to 12.5 percent of their annual operating revenue, while setting a 20 percent cap for the rest of the state.

The Cole County Circuit Court rejected on Monday parts of the statute having to do with St. Louis County, saying they constitute a special law in violation of the Missouri Constitution. The 20 percent provision remains in effect.

The law was put in place in the wake of unrest in the city of Ferguson after the August 2014 shooting death of unarmed black teen Michael Brown by a white police officer.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/missouri-appeal-ruling-partly-voids-traffic-fines-cap-204143317--business.html

[LiberalFighter]

1. Could it be the circuit court relies on the revenue?

[JimDandy]

2. How about they not appeal and lower the cap equally for all counties.

[Gore1FL]

3. The cap should be 0.

City budgets should not rely on people breaking the law to balance. Cities need to run on tax dollars.