Is the court required to assess a $5 arrest reimbursement fee when a defendant is convicted after a warrantless arrest?

The requirement for the court to assess a $5 arrest reimbursement fee upon the conviction of a defendant following a warrantless arrest is grounded in the legal framework that governs the imposition of costs and fees in criminal cases. When a defendant is convicted, the law mandates that this fee is imposed as part of the restitution process, aimed at holding the defendant accountable for the costs incurred by law enforcement due to the arrest.

This fee serves not only as a punitive measure but also as a way to offset some of the public expenditures associated with law enforcement activities. When an arrest is made without a warrant, typically, the underlying circumstances of the case necessitate an immediate response from law enforcement. Therefore, the assessment of this fee post-conviction aligns with the principles of accountability within the judicial system.

In this specific context, the imposition of the $5 fee is not contingent upon other factors such as the nature of the arrest (felony vs. misdemeanor) or specific requests from the defendant. It is a standard procedure that applies uniformly to convictions following warrantless arrests, ensuring consistency in the judicial process.