Welcome to Skagit County

August 4, 2004

CONTEMPT ROUND UP SCHEDULED BY PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE TO SERVE BENCH WARRANTS ON CHILD SUPPORT SCOFFLAWS

SKAGIT COUNTY – If you’re not paying your court-ordered child support, you may be getting a visit from the Skagit County Sheriff Department. In August, deputies will be serving bench warrants on citizens who are not complying with court orders regarding their failure to pay child support.

“Ignoring or disobeying court orders is a serious issue. We are fully committed to supporting the court in its effort to enforce its child support orders,” said Kurt E. Hefferline, Assistant Chief Deputy with the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. “We currently have 32 outstanding bench warrants for people who have failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing or report to jail.”

Hefferline said his office processed 418 contempt cases last year, and collected $341,000. The procedure for enforcement starts with a letter notifying the parent that if they don’t resume paying their child support, they will be brought before the court for contempt proceedings. Bench warrants are issued for those who fail to appear at a subsequent hearing or for those who fail to report for court ordered jail time.

62 individuals spent 898 days in jail in 2003 as a result of their failure to comply with court ordered child support payments, according to Hefferline.

For further information, contact: Kurt E. Hefferline
360.336.9461