§ 7A-321.  Collection of offender fines and fees assessed by the court.

(a)       The Judicial Department may, in lieu of payment by cash or check, accept payment by credit card, charge card, or debit card for the fines, fees, and costs owed to the courts by offenders.

(b)       In attempting to collect the fines, fees, and costs owed by offenders not sentenced to supervised probation, the Department may:

(1)       Assess a collection assistance fee if an amount due remains unpaid for 30 days after the time period allotted by the court. The amount of the collection assistance fee shall not exceed the average cost of collecting the debt or twenty percent (20%) of the amount past due, whichever is less.

(2)       Enter into contracts with a collection agency or agencies to collect unpaid fines, fees, and costs owed by offenders not sentenced to supervised probation.

(3)       Intercept tax refund checks under Chapter 105A of the General Statutes, the Setoff Debt Collection Act.

(c)       Should the Judicial Department use any method listed in subdivision (b)(1) or (2) of this section to collect fines, fees, and costs owed by offenders not sentenced to supervised probation, the department may not charge any additional cost of collection pursuant to G.S. 115C-437.

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(2006-187, s. 1(a); 2007-323, s. 30.9(a).)