Opinion ID: 2284881
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Imposition of Fine and Court Costs

Text: The Appellants' first assignment of error is the trial court's imposition of court costs and fines. According to the Appellants, these fines were improper because the trial court had already recognized their indigent status pursuant to KRS Chapter 31. Subsection (4) of KRS 534.040 provides that [f]ines required by this section shall not be imposed upon any person determined by the court to be indigent pursuant to KRS Chapter 31. Nor may court costs be levied upon defendants found to be indigent. KRS 23A.205(2). At the time of trial, both Travis and Dawson were receiving the services of a public defender, and were granted the right to appeal in forma pauperis. They were clearly indigent. Thus, the trial court clearly erred in imposing a fine and court costs upon the Appellants. See Simpson v. Commonwealth, 889 S.W.2d 781, 784 (Ky.1994). Travis and Dawson concede that this error is not preserved for appellate review. Nonetheless, since sentencing is jurisdictional it cannot be waived by failure to object. Wellman v. Commonwealth, 694 S.W.2d 696, 698 (Ky.1985). Thus, sentencing issues may be raised for the first time on appeal and Appellant is proceeding properly before this Court. Cummings v. Commonwealth, 226 S.W.3d 62, 66 (Ky.2007). Fines and costs, being part of the punishment imposed by the court, are part of the sentence imposed in a criminal case. Having the inherent jurisdiction to cure such sentencing errors, this Court vacates the fines and court costs.