What do court costs refer to in the context of sentencing?

Court costs in the context of sentencing specifically refer to the statutory fees that a court imposes as part of the judicial process. These costs are typically outlined in legislation and can cover various administrative expenses incurred during the prosecution of a case, such as the fees associated with filing documents, processing cases, and maintaining court records.

By understanding that court costs are defined by statutes, it becomes clear that they are distinct from other financial obligations, such as fines imposed for offenses, which are punitive in nature, or costs associated with legal representation and the probation process, which pertain more to individual rights and responsibilities. This distinction reinforces the understanding that court costs are standardized fees mandated by law, making option B the correct choice.