C.A. 4th;
G052640

The Fourth Appellate District reversed in part a judgment and remanded. The court held that a crime lab fee and a drug program fee were not “fines” subject to penalty assessments.

Julio Martinez was convicted of both possessing and transporting a controlled substance. Marinez was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay two mandatory fees—a $50 crime-lab fee, under Penal Code §11372.5, and a $150 drug program fee, under §11372.7. The trial court concluded both fees were actually “fines” subject to additional assessments, penalties, and a surcharge. Martinez appealed, challenging the trial court's imposition of the penalty assessments.