Aurora begins charging $50 arrest processing fee

The price of getting arrested in Aurora just went up $50.

The city council Tuesday night unanimously approved a $50 administrative fee to be charged to anyone processed by Aurora police after turning themselves in on a warrant or being arrested for a criminal offense or city ordinance violation.

Aurora's police patrol officers union brought up the idea of charging a booking fee last fall during budget discussions.

Many area communities, including Downers Grove, Darien, Oswego and Woodridge, already charge booking fees. And Aurora sees some out-of-towners turn themselves in on warrants in the City of Lights to avoid paying a fee in their hometown, according to a memo from Lt. Keith Cross.

The fee includes the cost of fingerprinting and photographing the offender and providing security during the booking process.

It will be collected when a person posts bond. But if a person can make bond but doesn't have the extra $50 to cover the booking fee, Aurora police cannot keep that person in custody.

The fee then would become a debt owed the city, which can be pursued through a collection process.