Judge rules in favor of CrimeStoppers' fee, others

Associated Press - November 3, 2009 4:04 PM ET

METAIRIE, La. (AP) - A state district judge has ruled that a private anti-crime group will continue to collect $2 fees on convictions in criminal and traffic cases in Jefferson Parish.

Judge Rebecca Olivier of 1st Parish Court on Tuesday upheld that fee and another which help finance CrimeStoppers Inc. and the parish coroner's office.

Attorney Don Gardner had argued the fees were unconstitutional because they don't directly pay for the operations of courts as required by state law.

An appeal of Olivier's rulings are likely.

Information from: The Times-Picayune, http://www.nola.com