Community Service

Financial Hardship/Indigent

If you are financially unable to pay a fine and/or court cost in full (one payment), there are other options, such as time-payment plans and performing community service hours instead of paying the fine and court costs. In certain situations, in which a person cannot perform community service and that person is financially unable (Indigent) to pay their fine and court cost on a time payment plan the Court will hear sworn testimony and look at evidence concerning your financial situation to help you resolve this matter.  In certain severe situations, the judge can reduce the fine and court costs or eliminate them completely, depending on the severity of your financial situation.  Should you have any questions regarding these options, please contact the Court.

Community Service Program
If it is a financial hardship, you are unemployed, or a full-time student, you are eligible for perform community service in lieu of paying the fine. Complete the Community Service Request form in full and accurately. Once received, the court will notify you if any further information is required. The court will then mail you a time sheet to take to the organization to track your hours. Community service hours must be completed only at 501(c)(3) (not-for-profit) organizations. Upon completion of the assigned hours, you will need to mail the time sheet back to the court by the due date.

Indigency applies to individuals who are living at or below the federal poverty level, defined annually by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. If you are physically unable to perform community service you will need to complete the Indigent Hearing Request Form and submit it to the court for a hearing to be scheduled.

Submitting false information to the Court constitutes the crime of tampering with a governmental record, punishable by incarceration and/or imposition of a fine (Sect.37.10 P.C.)

Supporting documentation may be required and is based on the financial affidavit you completed and must be brought with you to your scheduled hearing. Bring copies to provide the Court (copies will remain in your case file). 

NO EXCEPTIONS. Failure to bring all documentation to your hearing SHALL result in your hearing being DENIED. You are expected to be prepared. 

Examples: federal income tax return, statement of wages (pay stubs), all financial assistance (food stamps, WIC, Medicaid).

A notice will be sent to the address that you provided in the written request that will included the date, time, and location of the hearing.

It is your responsibility to maintain accurate contact and financial status information with the Court.

For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,320 for each additional person.