# Required fees when being arrested

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/required-fees-when-being-arrested/584374>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 5, 2011, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/required-fees-when-being-arrested/584374 "2011-06-05T05:32:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speak_to_me_Maddie)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/required-fees-when-being-arrested/584374/21 "2011-06-06T18:45:23Z")

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It may be that if you are not charged, or if you are eventually found not guilty you will be reimbursed that fee. You might have to ask about it though and fill out a mountain of paperwork.

Your lawyer probably knows. Are there any American criminal defense attys that frequent this board?

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**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/required-fees-when-being-arrested/584374/22 "2011-06-06T19:24:11Z")

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> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#):
>
> I did manage to find a few studies, which indicated that AA was a bit LESS effective than no treatment at all, that is, just letting the alcoholic quit (or not quit) on his own…

Well, this is adding on to the AA hijack but, do those studies take into account the _cause_ of someone joining AA? As in, “I think my life is about to really tank and I WANT to get under control” vs “goddam judge said I had to go”.

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**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/required-fees-when-being-arrested/584374/23 "2011-06-06T20:01:08Z")

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> [@Mama\_Zappa](#):
>
> Well, this is adding on to the AA hijack but, do those studies take into account the _cause_ of someone joining AA? As in, “I think my life is about to really tank and I WANT to get under control” vs “goddam judge said I had to go”.

I believe this was pointed out last time as a probable cause. But there was another study that showed no appreciable difference when that was considered.

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**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/required-fees-when-being-arrested/584374/24 "2011-06-06T20:16:10Z")

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> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> I’m guessing that the legal authority is these charges are seen as a use fee. You’re not being fined; you’re being charged for the service (property storage or a PC cell). It’s like paying a bridge toll or park admission.
> 
> But the issue is the involuntary nature of the service. You can’t decline the services associated with being arrested, which to me should make them a due process issue.

Another guess–the consent to the ‘fee’ is embedded in the ticket disclaimer or entrance to the park.

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