INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County courthouse will be open Saturday, April 18 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. so that defendants in arrears on court fines can pay them and be forgiven the 40 percent collections fee for late payments.
“If someone owes $1,000 in fines plus 40 percent that’s $1,400 which is a whopping increase, but on this one day we’ll subtract the $400, take the $1,000 and call it even,” said Clerk of Court Jeff Smith.
The one-day amnesty program, said Smith, will take place in 61 Florida counties over the next month in an effort to collect unpaid court fines.
It has already been tried in six other counties and the results were “very successful,” he said.
Among those lining up to pay off his debt will be Demetrius Patterson, who mows grass and clips hedges for a lawn company over 40 hours a week, taking home about $1,400 a month.
After paying monthly bills, Patterson estimates he has about $40 left over for groceries.
“Every month is a struggle,” he said. “But I’m determined to get out from under my fines.”
Patterson went to jail eight years ago for not paying a traffic ticket and since then his fines and fees have escalated and his license has been suspended because of the unpaid fines.
In late February, he was arrested for being stopped on a motor bike in front of his house, compounding his debts.
He estimates he owes more than $4,000 in back fines and fees, which he plans to put on a credit card on April 18 and pay off each month.
“I’m thankful for this chance to make things right,” he said.
Smith said when all debts are paid, if there is nothing else pending, clerks at the courthouse will immediately reinstate drivers’ licenses.
“We could have an onslaught of people on the amnesty day, but we’ll have the staff in place to handle them,” he said.
Currently, the Indian River County court system has $2 million in unpaid fines and fees outstanding, owed to the court and other agencies.
But Smith said he is hoping that amount will be greatly reduced after the 40-percent-off day.
“We are expecting this to be a success and plan to make it an annual event,” he said.
