Judge: Soddy‑Daisy municipal court collects 38% of fines; will ask DA about community service

Soddy‑Daisy — Judge Marty Lasley told the Soddy‑Daisy Board of Commissioners at a special meeting on Sept. 9 that his municipal court’s fine‑collection rate is 38% and said he would meet with the district attorney to ask whether community service workdays could be included in plea agreements.

Lasley said he reviewed fine‑collection across Tennessee and that, by his count, no other court he checked had a higher collection rate. He told commissioners that recent actions by the State Legislature have made collecting fines more difficult and that he also weighs jail capacity when deciding how to handle cases.

"No court is designed to make money," Mayor Everett said during the discussion, framing enforcement as a matter of public safety and law rather than municipal revenue. Chief Petty added that "writing tickets is not what his department concentrates their efforts on," emphasizing enforcement priorities beyond ticketing.

Board members raised the prospect of requiring community service as a sanction for repeat offenders or for defendants who do not pay fines. Judge Lasley said he would "get with the D.A." to ask whether workdays could be built into every plea deal, identifying consultation with the district attorney as the next step rather than a change the board could enact immediately.

Commissioner Keith questioned why some people are allowed to appear in court in attire he said "wouldn’t be allowed downtown." Lasley said he prefers to hear cases once defendants are present and asked officers working court to monitor attire more strictly; Chief Petty responded, "they will enforce it." The board did not take any formal votes or adopt new policies during the meeting.

The meeting concluded with Lasley reiterating that he would consult the district attorney about assigning workdays; the special session was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.