Some locals feeling squeezed
by failing economy and court fees
People have always complained about paying court costs and fines. But with the current state of the economy, local court employees say they are hearing more people say they’re not sure where they’ll even find the money to pay those fees.
“People are getting laid off,” said Greg Hemmings, a clerk for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court in Lexington and Rockbridge County. “A lot of the people are blue-collar workers, working by the week, when they can. They get in some kind of problem area and can’t pay the cost.”
And there’s worse news for those who owe: If payment isn’t made in 15 days, the unlucky debtor may have his or her driver’s license suspended until full payment is made.
Without a license, paying a fine and court costs becomes even more difficult. Getting to a job anywhere in the Rockbridge County area without a driver’s license is a big problem. And less work means less money to pay the fine. A license is typically suspended for failing to pay any fine, except in civil cases, according to General District Court Clerk Elaine Cieluch.
Cieluch says that, although the courts don’t condone lawbreaking, the system does as much as it can to help struggling people pay their fines.
“If they can’t pay their court costs in 15 days, we can put them on a payment plan,” Cieluch said. “They can pay as much as they [are able],” as long as they pay in full by an agreed-upon date.
Since July 2008, added help for those unable to pay has been available in the form of a restricted driver’s license, Cieluch said. A restricted license limits the driver to specific times and places he or she can drive.
Hemmings said Judge Anita Filson of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court has recently issued more restricted licenses.
But applying for a restricted license adds costs to the original court fines. Applicants must pay a $500 uninsured motorist fee and a reinstatement fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles that can vary from $45 to $160.
Applicants also must file a certificate of financial responsibility, called an SR-22, with the commonwealth, according to the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles Web site. An SR-22 costs about $20 per year and must be maintained for three to five years depending on the reason for suspension.
Ginger Webb, clerk of the General District and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Combined Courts for Buena Vista, says she thinks the nation’s economic conditions will make it harder for citizens to pay their fines.
“I expect [the suspensions] will increase if things don’t improve in the economy,” said Webb.
Produced by
Washington and Lee
journalism students.
Lead Supervisors:
Prof. Brian
Richardson
Prof. Indira Somani
Editing supervisor:
Prof. Doug
Cumming
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd