Some Township Residents have voiced concerns about having a Township
Police Department with a goal of issuing traffic citations in an effort to
generate more revenue for Williamstown Township. Neither Williamstown
Township nor Meridian Township receives any money (NO MONEY) from
traffic violations written in Williamstown Township. The laws enforced are
under the Michigan Vehicle Code and prosecuted by the Ingham County
Prosecutors Office. The only time Williamstown Township receives any
revenue from any violation is when a violation of a Township Ordinance or
Code is prosecuted, using a Township Attorney and fines or damages are
assessed.
Two Examples of Vehicle Code Violations are listed below:
SPEEDING 1-10 MPH OVER:
Total Fines and Costs = $120
Statute Offense
$40 Justice System Assessment - Mandatory statutory assessment of $40 for all traffic
civil infractions. Monies go to the state. See MCL 257.907(14)
$15 Penal Fine - Mandatory assessment upon a finding of responsibility. Amount is
determined by the court. Monies go to public/county library systems. Fines are limited
to $100. See MCL 257.909
$65 Court Costs - Discretionary assessment determined by the court. Cannot assess
court costs unless penal fines have been assessed. Costs retained by the court's local
funding unit (Ingham County). Costs are limited to $100. See MCL 600.8379
Ordinance Offense:
$40 Justice System Assessment - Mandatory statutory assessment of $40 for all traffic
civil infractions. Monies go to the state. See MCL 257.907(14)
$80 Ordinance Fines and Costs. 1/3 ($26.40) goes to municipality whose ordinance
was violated and 2/3 ($53.60) goes to the court's local funding unit (Ingham
County). Costs are limited to $100. See MCL 600.8379
DISOBEYING A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE (red light)
Total Fines and Costs = $125
Statute Offense:
$40 Justice System Assessment - Mandatory statutory assessment of $40 for all traffic
civil infractions. Monies go to the state. See MCL 257.907(14)
$20 Penal Fine - Mandatory assessment upon a finding of responsibility. Amount is
determined by the court. Monies go to public/county library systems. Fines are limited
to $100. See MCL 257.909
$65 Court Costs - Discretionary assessment determined by the court. Cannot assess
court costs unless penal fines have been assessed. Costs retained by the court's local
funding unit (Ingham County). Costs are limited to $100. See MCL 600.8379
Ordinance Offense:
$40 Justice System Assessment - Mandatory statutory assessment of $40 for all traffic
civil infractions. Monies go to the state. See MCL 257.907(14)
$85 Ordinance Fines and Costs. 1/3 ($28.05) goes to municipality whose ordinance
was violated and 2/3 ($56.95) goes to the court's local funding unit (Ingham
County). Costs are limited to $100. See MCL 600.8379
Information obtained from Ingham
County District Court in Mason, MI.
