Does anyone know how to write a letter to a District Court Judge about why a person cannot pay fines now?

Question

Because of our financial situation, my 19 year old daughter is unable to pay her fines to District Court. She was advised to write to the judge. She was told to explain why she can't pay and set up a payment plan in the letter. We are not sure how to word it and how it should look.

I would like to add that my daughter was working until April 30th, 06. She lost her job. Now we are living on her unemployment (mine ran out in march) and my family assistance payments. We are about to be on the street as they say. She is already on probation and the first $250 will take care of getting off probation. Her original charge was an MIP for alcohol and she was with a friend who was driving a car she did not have permission to use, thus the high fines. It's about $900 total. But at this moment we are being evicted out of our home and we are pretty much not eleigible for any other assistance. WQe will be moving to Detroit (we live in Michigan) to find work and such.

Answer 1

that is basically it. explain to them your financial situation and the reason why you can't pay right away. they should be able to work out a payment plan that will work for you. it doesn't have to be written professionally. when i was in virginia i recieved a speeding ticket and they wanted me to show up in court the day after i was supposed to head back home. i wrote them a quick letter stating my reasoning and they just sent me a ticket in the mail. no questions asked

Answer 2

Unless it is a motion it will have no value, if she has fines due, she will need to appear in court and ask the court to allow other arrangements,

Next she is could go directly to the clerk of the court and merely ask if a payment plan is available.

with this an informal letter to the judge will not do much good.
And normally she should not directly contact the judge.

I am not sure who told you to contact the judge direct but I don't know why since without a formal motion or ruling the judge can not do much.

Normally if a person cannot pay thier fine the judge will put them on probation while the fine is made in payments.

My first contact would be directly in person with the clerk of the court to see if payments can not be merley arranged with them. ( they are the ones you would be paying anyway, not the judge) *** or the office where the fine is to be paid, if they have a special office for collections.

Answer 3

First and foremost - I'm not a lawyer, not a member of any Bar, and hold no office in any Court (I do however work around them). As to format:
Support all your claims (with receipts, payroll stubs, last years tax filing, WIC, food stamps, etc) of income. And the same with consumables, what she spent her money on (e.g., credit card statements, bank statements, loan payments, auto insurance).
Basically what you want to show is your budget (if she has one), all her incomes and outflows. All! Money spent on food, toiletries, gas, everything! Go back at least as far as the date she was originally charged, if not much earlier.
As to content, be honest (a Judge might allow certain amounts for entertainment [movies etc] however, as she has been fined she's been found guilty, pay back society first). Let the Judge know that by showing that while she used to spend money on things like that, she's not going to do it now.

If you're looking for something more 'legally' worded (not really necessary but it looks good - like you're going to the trouble of making it look right) I'd suggest going to a law library (many district court houses have one of these) and ask the clerk for the template to use for someone in your daughter's position.
Good luck!

Answer 4

I have a younger brother who was in the same situation, and he got set for a payment plan. The judge will understand, especially considering that her caregivers and herself are not at financial stability to comply with such an order.

Write it, be honest, and to the point...you don't need a lawyer to write it to the judge. It is my thought that the judge will grant a payment plan.

Answer 5

Just as you explained it would be fine. It would help to tell the judge what you could afford to pay. Have your daughter get a job and pay this herself, do not pay for her or she will miss this valuable life lesson.

use a standard letter format. Refer to the Judge as Honorable Firstname Lastname,

Answer 6

Be respectful; dont try a sob story, they've head them all. Explain her income, her schooling, and expenses. Show you are making a real effort. ...and then, stick to the plan and stop doing whatever caused the fines

Answer 7

Be direct and concise. Avoid over-sentimentality. NO BS- Most Judges will see through it immediately.