People who owe the city of Columbus money from uncollected fines will have an opportunity to make their financial amends without going to jail. Beginning Wednesday, a joint effort between the city’s municipal court and police department will give citizens amnesty if they voluntarily pay their fines.
“We’ve been doing this for years,” Columbus Municipal Clerk Lou Dudley said. “It has been a very successful program. This gives everyone with outstanding fines an opportunity to pay their fines without getting arrested.”
But there are some guidelines that must be followed to avoid incarceration, Dudley said.
“You have to come to the municipal court building in person, and you must pay all of the fine or fines that is owed,” she said. “If you do this, the judge will dismiss the contempt-of-court charge upon payment of both the fine and the court costs, which is $100.”
The program began in 2002 and has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for the city, according to Dudley, including more than $250,000 last year. The money collected will be divided among the city’s general fund, the Columbus Municipal Court division and the state.
Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen urged those in arrears with the city to make every effort to pay their fines.
“If you do not take advantage of this, you will go to jail,” McQueen said. “This is a good opportunity for people to come down and set the record straight. It provides people a way to come down and take care of their business with no fear of being locked up.”
The amnesty program will also prevent unnecessary embarrassment, especially in the workplace, McQueen said.
“I know we have some good citizens who have made mistakes,” he said. “This will give them a chance to take care of their fines without us having to come to their homes or jobs. This is not what we want to do — we don’t want to go and arrest someone at work in front of their coworkers, but we will do so if we have to.”
A warrant detail has been set up to help serve and arrest those who have skipped court or are not paying fines. The warrant detail, which is composed of two officers, is working day and night shifts to ensure culprits are apprehended.
“This warrant detail is serious,” McQueen said. “I wouldn’t want these guys looking for me, that’s for sure. People need to take advantage of this program while it’s available. If you don’t, they will get you, and you will go to jail.”
Dudley also encouraged participation in the program.
“People need to take care of their fines, even if they can’t afford to pay for them,” she said. “If you can’t pay, you need to go back in front of the judge and work out a payment arrangement or get on a work program. Turn yourself in and take care of your fines.”
Columbus Municipal Court will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, to allow more time before and after work.
Dudley previously said the city has about $4 million in delinquent fines.
A list of those who owe overdue fines to the city of Columbus ran in the Sunday edition of The Dispatch. The list includes nearly 1,000 names.
The amnesty program ends April 30.
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