Chap. 633.—An ACT to amend and re-enact sections 717 and 718 of the code of
Virginia relating to fines and costs before justices of the peace.

Approved March }, 1898.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That sections
seven hundred and seventeen and seven hundred and eighteen of the code
of Virginia, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 717. In any misdemeanor case tried by a justice of the peace, in
which a fine is imposed upon the defendant or in which the defendant
is required to pay the costs and the same are not paid, the justice may in
his discretion take security for the payment of such fine and costs, or for
the costs alone when there is no fine, such payment to be made within
thirty days from the day of trial. It shall be sufficient to bind such
surety that the justice endorse on the warrant the name of the surety,
amount for which he is bound, and the date of endorsement, but if no
security is given, the defendant may be committed to jail until such
fine and costs or such costs alone are paid. If security be given and
payment is not made to the clerk of the court as agreed, the clerk shall
Issue execution against the person whom the judgment is rendered as
well as against the surety in the same manner as provided by section
seven hundred and nineteen of the code of Virginia, but in case the
bond is not given as provided by this section the justice may commit
the defendant to jail until the fine and costs are paid or until the costs
are paid where there is no fine, but the justice shall not issue any execu-
tion therefor.

§ 71s. Within thirty days after every trial the justice shall certify to
the clerk of the court of his county or corporation the amount of everv
fine imposed by him together with the costs, and whether the same has
been paid. When he acquits the accused he shall certify the cosets of
the trial and to whom due; and if he rendered judgment against the
prosecutor for costs, he shallso state. After such certificate has been made
the state shall be liable to the officers thereto entitled for one-half only of their
lawful fees remaining uapaid as shown by said certificate. If any justice
fail to return such certificate within said time without good cause, he
shall forfeit twenty dollars.

2. All acts or parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby re-
pealed.