Oklahoma § 22-1334 - Littering upon highways or dumping trash on public or

§ 22-1334. Littering upon highways or dumping trash on public or

private property - Rewards - Claims.

A. The boards of county commissioners of counties and the

governing bodies of municipalities may offer and pay a reward, from

funds set aside for that purpose, in an amount not to exceed fifty

percent (50%) of the fine imposed, for the arrest and conviction or

for evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of any person who

violates the provisions of Sections 1753.3 or 1761.1 of Title 21 of

the Oklahoma Statutes.

B. The board of county commissioners or the governing body of

the municipality may create and maintain a reward fund in the county

or municipal treasury which shall be a revolving fund not subject to

fiscal year limitations, from which to pay the rewards provided for

in subsection A of this section, and to offset the cost of any

special enforcement programs originated by any law enforcement

agency responsible for the arrest or prosecution of any person who

violates the provisions of Sections 1753.3 or 1761.1 of Title 21 of

the Oklahoma Statutes. These costs may include, but not be limited

to, the posting of signs along the state’s highways advising

motorists of the fines for littering or illegal dumping.

C. The board of county commissioners may provide for the

publication, advertisement and countywide distribution to the public

of information as to the reward program specified by this section.

D. Claims for rewards shall be on forms provided by the county

or municipality and shall be submitted to the prosecuting attorney

of the county or municipality no later than thirty (30) days after

sentencing of the defendant. The prosecuting attorney shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 22. Criminal Procedure

investigate the validity of the claim and make a nonbinding written

recommendation to the board of county commissioners or governing

body of the municipality.

E. All claims relating to a conviction shall be considered

together at the next regular meeting of the board of county

commissioners or governing body of the municipality following

receipt of the prosecuting attorney's report.

F. In determining the amount of the reward, the board of county

commissioners or the governing body of the municipality shall have

sole discretion to honor or deny the claim, but shall consider:

1. The severity of the offense;

2. The size of the fine imposed;

3. The number of persons claiming a reward and the degree to

which each claimant was responsible for the arrest or conviction;

4. The burden, if any, incurred by the claimant including cost

to appear at trial; and

5. Other factors which the board or governing body deems

appropriate.

G. No reward shall be authorized and no debt shall accrue to

the county or municipality upon the depletion of the reward fund

authorized by this section.

H. The reward authorized by this section shall be in lieu of

any other county or municipal reward.

I. Full-time peace officers of this state or of any county or

municipality within this state shall not be eligible for the reward

provided by this section.

J. All courts assessing and receiving reward funds as required

by Sections 1753.3 and 1761.1 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes

shall provide appropriate transfer of the reward funds to the proper

county or municipal reward fund as prescribed by the provisions of

this section.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 115, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1988. Amended by Laws

1994, c. 338, § 3, emerg. eff. June 8, 1994; Laws 1996, c. 299, § 3,

emerg. eff. June 10, 1996; Laws 1999, c. 364, § 2, eff. July 1,

1999.