OXNARD : Jail Bookings Cut to Save on Fees

In a move to decrease the cost of jail booking fees imposed by Ventura County last September, Oxnard police have reduced bookings for misdemeanor offenses at the county jail by 80% compared to last year, officials announced.

“In fiscal year 1989-90, the city transferred 6,075 prisoners to the County Jail, for an average of 506 bookings per month,” said Oxnard police management analyst Jim Willis in a report to the Oxnard City Council.

“Over the first six months of fiscal year 1990-91, that average has been reduced to 360 bookings a month. While bookings for felony arrests have remained fairly stable, bookings for misdemeanors have been reduced by over 80%.”

Willis said last week that since September, when the Board of Supervisors announced the new $120 booking fee, Oxnard has been averaging 132.5 new bookings a month. The city does not have to pay an additional booking fee if someone is rearrested for the same crime because the defendant has failed to appear in court or for some other reason. Willis did not provide a breakdown between misdemeanor and felony bookings.

Oxnard Police Chief Robert P. Owens said the city is minimizing its booking fee expenses by citing and releasing most people accused of minor violations.

“Persons charged with petty theft, illegal gambling, vehicular manslaughter without negligence, public intoxication and drunk driving are most likely candidates for alternative release,” he said.