What are "court fees" typically associated with?

Court fees are charges applied for processing legal actions and various court-related services. These fees are established to cover the operational costs of the court system and ensure that it can function effectively. They may include fees for filing lawsuits, accessing court records, or requesting other court-related services.

This is distinct from penalties for failing to appear in court, which are typically structured as fines rather than fees tied to the processing of legal actions. Similarly, fines for misdemeanor offenses are designated as punitive measures rather than administrative charges associated with the court's operations. The costs of hiring expert witnesses, while an important consideration in legal proceedings, do not fall under the category of court fees, as they are typically considered a part of litigation expenses borne by the parties involved, rather than charges imposed by the court itself.