Nashville Area Courts Aren’t Getting Paid
A little known side effect of high unemployment and a poor economy has been the mounting uncollected fines and fees in the local criminal courts. In Davidson County alone there’s an estimated $290 million in uncollected monies from the past ten years, with much of it mounting since 2007 when the economy first started faltering.
The problem has clerk’s offices across the state scratching their heads on how to collect from people who simply can’t pay or have no seeming desire to get caught up. Some refer cases to collections and others are pushing for legislation to put some teeth in collection efforts.
While it’s likely that some people who are failing to pay could actually pay, there’s a good chance many don’t have a choice and feel like there’s no point in paying a little when you owe a lot.
Proposed legislation would potentially suspend driving privileges for people who owe the courts. This, opponents state, is an asinine move. After all, how can you earn money to pay fines when you can’t get to work?
Over the past several years, fines and fees have continued to climb. Lab fees, TBI fees, and other various fees pile up, making it harder and harder for people to pay. One County Clerk points out that the legislature has allowed these fees to “balloon out of control” and when paired with high unemployment and a struggling economy overall, the problems is likely going to get worse before it gets better.
When it comes right down to it, most courts are willing to work out payment arrangements with people, taking a fraction of the total owed every month until its paid off. They would rather see some of the money than none at all. However, many people are reluctant to contact the Clerk with issues like this, whether it be an issue of pride or simply the desire to pretend the debt doesn’t exist.
When you are facing criminal charges, jail time isn’t the only concern. Fines and fees can really put a heavy burden on an already strapped budget. If there’s no way around them, having a defense attorney on your side to help work out a payment agreement can help.
Whether you are accused of a crime you didn’t commit or if you admit you made a mistake and are ready to face the consequences, a criminal defense attorney can help. Contact our offices for a consultation on your case today and to see what kind of sentence you might be facing if convicted.
