Opinion ID: 2273193
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Trial Court Erred in Imposing Court Costs on Ladriere Given His Indigent Status.

Text: Ladriere also asserts error in the imposition of court costs upon him despite his indigent status, an issue preserved by contemporaneous objection. The Commonwealth responds that although the trial court imposed court costs in its oral ruling, it was not memorialized in the written judgment, rendering the issue moot. Although the oral ruling must be consulted to discern that the cost of the action, is $150.00, the written judgment does direct Ladriere to pay the sum of $125.00 to the public advocates for their services herein and the cost of this action, same to be payable at the minimum rate of $50 per month commencing 30 days after release from custody. Accordingly, we proceed to the merits of Ladriere's claim. Because court costs must be waived for indigent defendants pursuant to KRS 31.110(1)(b), the provision in the judgment imposing court costs must be vacated. Edmonson v. Commonwealth, 725 S.W.2d 595 (Ky. 1987). The Commonwealth correctly points out that the $125.00 public defender fee is explicitly authorized by KRS 31.211(1), but Ladriere's challenge is to the imposition of court costs, not the public defender fee.