Kent County’s 61st, 62-B and 63rd District Courts announced a joint amnesty program including waivers of late fees, bench warrant fees, and show cause fees to those who qualify.
Judge Sara Smolenski sits at the 63rd District Court. She says the program has worked well in the past.
“It’s set up to help people who have tickets or criminal cases, civil cases, where monies are outstanding, where there have, maybe in some instances, actually been a bench warrant for someone’s arrest.”
Terms include appearing in-person to address a bench warrant, but individuals can work with the court to set up a payment plan regarding any outstanding balances and will not be sentenced to jail for the inability to pay in full.
“It really allows us to waive some of the late fees, extra charges, when a person will really commit to making a significant payment and set up a payment plan so there is an end in sight.”
Judge Smolenski says individuals have the opportunity to proactively settle legal matters, even if they’re nervous about dealing with the justice system.
“Come on in, help yourself, focus on getting some of your business with the court taken care of. Everyone’s going to be better in the long run when they do that, particularly them.”
You can find a list of terms for the amnesty program here.
