(a) All courts of record, district courts, and city courts in this state shall have the authority to suspend the imposition of sentences or the imposition of fines, or both, in all criminal cases pending before the courts unless specifically prohibited by law.
(b)
(1) At any time before a court has entered a judgment of conviction against a criminal defendant, the court may dismiss the case and, in that instance, any fine imposed against the defendant shall be considered a civil penalty.
(2) The court, however, shall assess and disburse the appropriate court costs pursuant to § 16-10-305 et seq.