Late fees, warrant costs to be waived at 36th District Court through August

The 36th District Court has launched a debt amnesty program from June 24 through Aug. 2, during which all late fees, penalties and warrant costs will be waived upon full payment of the original amount.

The court’s Chief Judge, William C. McConico, says the program provides an opportunity for individuals to settle outstanding debts and alleviate the burden of accumulating late fees.

“When you don’t have a license and the ability to pay off your tickets, it affects your ability to work and enjoy doing things with friends and family,” McConico told The Metro on Monday. “The 36th District Court, also known as the people’s court, makes it their mission this summer to help relieve some of those stressors by removing any additional fees when paying off your ticket.”

District courts handle most traffic violations, all civil cases with claims up to $25,000, landlord-tenant matters, most traffic tickets and all misdemeanor criminal cases. McConico says the amnesty program aims to alleviate the fear that those with outstanding late fees or warrant costs will go to jail if they come to court.

“The 36th District Court staff is fully committed to assisting our users in obtaining relief and ensuring the success of this amnesty program,” he said. “If you’ve missed your court date, and it was a misdemeanor, and there’s a warrant out there, you still have to have your case heard. So you come down and you’ll get a new court date.”

Payments can be made in person, online via the court’s website or at any DivDat kiosk (locations can be found at locations.divdatkiosknetwork.com).