State v. Mayer

— John C. Mayer pleaded guilty to manufacturing methamphetamine. The trial court declined to impose a mandatory $2,000 drug fine because it reasoned Mr. Mayer’s incarceration would render him indigent. The State appeals. We hold the $2,000 drug fine is mandatory, unless suspended or deferred upon a finding the defendant is indigent. Because the trial court believed it had discretion to disregard the drug fine as being included in the mandatory drug clean-up fee also ordered, and because it did not make a proper record showing Mr. Mayer was indigent, we reverse.

FACTS

Mr. Mayer pleaded guilty to…