State of Washington v. Mariano Diaz-Farias

¶1 — Under RCW 10.01.160, a court may impose costs on a convicted criminal defendant at the time of sentencing, with “costs” for this purpose being “limited to expenses specially incurred by the state in prosecuting the defendant” or for other limited purposes not relevant here. RCW 10.01.160(2). “They cannot include expenses inherent in providing a constitutionally guaranteed jury trial or expenditures in connection with the maintenance and operation of government agencies that must be made by the public irrespective of specific violations of law.” Id.

¶2 Mariano Diaz-Farias pleaded guilty to…