RSSUnpaid fines and tickets? Throw 'em in the pokey
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This editorial appears in the June 25 Yakima Herald-Republic
Maybe it's time for a few people around here to be tossed into the clink for failing to pay their speeding tickets and parking fines.
That might just be the attention grabber folks need in order for Yakima County to begin collecting on the $23 million in unpaid traffic tickets and court fines that scofflaws have accumulated over the past 20 years.
Other methods, including an amnesty program run by the county over the past couple of months, don't seem to be making much of an impression. Offered for the second time in five years, the program -- which seeks to collect unpaid fines but forgives accumulated interest in most cases -- collected $31,000 in May and settled 108 cases. While it's hardly a monetary windfall, that amount exceeds a similar monthlong amnesty program in 2005, when $20,000 was recouped on 54 cases.
The county extended the amnesty program through June and has so far brought in another $7,133 this month.
It's not that the county hasn't been taking reasonable steps to get the fines paid. Court collectors send out notices and make phone calls trying to collect unpaid fines. When that fails, collection agencies take a crack at bringing in the mountain of overdue money.
Court officials say the amount of money owed here is in line with the rate of nonpayments across the state. And while it is comforting to know that we don't have a particular problem, it's galling to realize that collecting even a scant 10 percent of the outstanding monies would nearly pay for the $2 million per year cost of running Yakima County District Court.
And while county officials correctly point out that jailing those who fail to pay off their tickets makes little sense when jails are already full and are expensive to run, neither does it make sense to us that there are few consequences for those who choose to ignore their tickets.
Jailing -- or at least arresting -- a couple of the worst offenders wouldn't bother us in the least. Even better, we relish the thought of mandatory community service for those who ignore their obligations. We hear the community's graffiti-control efforts could use additional helpers. Picking up litter wouldn't hurt, either.
We'd bet a whole lot more folks would be taking advantage of the amnesty program if there were annoying, time-consuming consequences for blowing off the penalties. It's worth a shot.
* Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Michael Shepard, Bob Crider, Spencer Hatton and Karen Troianello.
If only the Herald staff could use the same logic when it comes to illegal aliens. You are willing to throw American citizens in jail for not paying parking tickets, yet you scoff at the idea of deporting illegal aliens or at least denying them social services.
You're so concerned about "$23 million in unpaid traffic tickets and court fines" yet you don't even think twice about the cost to our education, healthcare, judicial, and social service systems that illegal aliens impose.
You support amnesty for illegal aliens, but not for American citizens who parked illegally.
I like the idea of throwing these people in the whoosgow ! Here in our little community of Sunnyside I understand we have 2 to 3 million out on the books for unpaid fines. This just does not make any sense. And if you look at the cost of the judges, court costs, clerk costs, police costd to pick these people up. I would guess the cost to the taxpayer could exceed 12 million on these 3 million unpaid fines.
I question why we have cops on the streets. I question why we pay a judge. I question alot of things. Here in Sunnyside we are renting out jail space to other towns to bring in income for the police department. This again makes no credible sense to me. Why not lock these people up in our jail that is being rented out. Give them green baloney sandwiches.
Better yet, lets keep renting the jail and putting these people up on the Anderson property in tents and make them catch rattlesnakes to fry and eat. We have just too liberal of a system these days. WE need to pay these judges that dish out these fines just a percentage of what is collected.
I can really see why law enforcement can get depressed on ticketing people and they not pay their fines. Better yet, lets let all the felons loose in Sunnyside and lock up our city council and Port officials. These are the real crooks in this community !
The term, "getting water from a stone," comes to mind and let me remind all those Ivory Tower thinkers that basic law infraction, minor offenses, usually effects poor people. Why? you might ask, well if you get stopped for a broken tail light and they find you have no insurance, your little $60-70 dollar ticket just went to $400.00. Sure you have the chance to show up in court with proof of insurance, but if you have been driving that car w/busted light for five years yet still never shelled out 4fix...
Report ViolationPutting people in prison for not paying debts may or may not actually get them to pay. However, the practice is unconstitutional. "Although it is acceptable to imprison for fraud, one cannot be imprisoned merely for failure to pay a debt." State v. Higgins, 67 Wash.2d 147, 153, 406 P.2d 784 (1965), cert. denied, 385 U.S. 827, 87 S.Ct. 60, 17 L.Ed.2d 63 (1966); State v. Enloe, 47 Wash.App. 165, 169, 734 P.2d 520 (1987).
Maybe cities could set up a program where people could work off their debts.
Per Olywa's statement about not imprisoning people for not paying fines. But, their vehicles can be impounded if fines are not paid! I feel sorry for the poorer class of people; but they can send money to Mexico every month, but can't pay fines ???
Report ViolationWOW this article has turned into a blame session on the immigrants. I bet you there is just as many white people that are part of the non-paying ticket issue.
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