Opinion ID: 1987854
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Assessment of Probation Enrollment Fee

Text: Oliver also contends the district court improperly assessed a $100 probation enrollment fee, as prescribed by Iowa Code section 905.14 (Supp.1997). Oliver contends assessment of this fee operates as an ex post facto law because section 905.14 did not take effect until July 1, 1997. This date was after the commission of the crime and the defendant's guilty plea, but prior to the sentencing hearing, which took place on July 11, 1997. Section 905.14 provides as follows: 1. A person placed on probation or parole and subject to supervision by a district department shall be required to pay an enrollment fee to the district department to offset the costs of supervision. The fee shall be based on the offense class of the most serious offense for which the person has received probation or parole, including deferred judgments or deferred sentences, and shall be as follows: a. For a felony, one hundred fifty dollars. b. For an aggravated misdemeanor, one hundred twenty-five dollars. c. For a serious or simple misdemeanor, one hundred dollars. 2. The fees established pursuant to this section shall not be waived by the sentencing court. Each district department shall retain fees collected for administrative and program services. 3. The department of corrections may adopt rules for the administration of this section. If adopted, the rules shall include a provision for waiving the collection of fees for persons determined to be unable to pay. The Ex Post Facto Clauses of the United States and Iowa Constitutions forbid enactment of laws that impose punishment for an act that was not punishable when committed or that increases the quantum of punishment provided for the crime when it was committed. State v. Pickens, 558 N.W.2d 396, 397 (Iowa 1997) (citing Weaver v. Graham, 450 U.S. 24, 28-29, 101 S.Ct. 960, 964, 67 L.Ed.2d 17, 22 (1981)). The question in this case is whether Iowa Code section 905.14 increases the quantum of punishment. Although we have not previously considered whether fees such as that imposed under section 905.14 are punitive in nature, the language of the statute indicates the fee's purpose is not punitive. The purpose of this statute is apparent in each of the three subsections. Subsection one provides that the fee is intended to offset the costs of supervision. Iowa Code § 905.14(1) (Supp.1997). Subsection two indicates that each district is to retain the fees imposed in its courts for administrative and program services. Id. § 905.14(2). Furthermore, subsection three provides for implementation of a waiver provision for those defendants who are unable to pay, which also illustrates the nonpunitive nature of the statute. Id. § 905.14(3). We find the purpose of the probation enrollment fee of Iowa Code section 905.14 is clearly not punitive in nature. Therefore, retroactive application of the statute to Oliver does not violate the Ex Post Facto Clauses of the United States or Iowa Constitutions.