Welcome to Skagit County

March 5, 2002

AMNESTY PROGRAM COLLECTS $100,000 FOR DISTRICT AND MUNCIPAL COURTS IN SKAGIT COUNTY

SKAGIT COUNTY - More than 450 court cases were closed and approximately $100,000 in fines was collected in the recent "Collection Amnesty" program implemented by Skagit County District and Municipal Courts.

"The program was a big success, considering the courts were able to assist defendants in their efforts to clear their fine obligations with the courts and in many instances, were finally able to obtain a driver's license for the first time in years," said Pam Springer, Skagit County District Court Administrator.

This past fall, Skagit County District and Municipal Courts held a countywide collection amnesty program. "Each court had a different agreement with their respective collection agency. The agreements ranged from all collection costs removed to a nominal fee on each case. But in each instance, the agencies were very supportive of our efforts with this program," said Springer.

"I think everyone involved benefited from this program," stated District Court Judge David Svaren. "The Courts closed a substantial number of cases and collected fines that may otherwise gone unpaid. The defendants obviously benefited by paying their fines and obtaining the ability to become licensed and insured."

Svaren went on to explain that law enforcement will also benefit because they won't be citing these defendants for not having licenses, and potentially arresting them and impounding their cars.

"The savings in jail costs and in towing and impound fees is clear. Moreover, the citizens of Skagit County and the State of Washington benefit because these drivers are now able to obtain liability insurance, which provides some protection to the public at large, now that they are licensed. Everybody wins - I like that," said Svaren.