GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — For two months this spring, three district courts in Kent County are offering up a way to help people with outstanding issues resolve them without facing additional penalties.
This amnesty program runs March through April for the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids, the 62-B District Court in Kentwood and the 63rd District Courts.
This amnesty program includes waivers of late fees, bench warrant fees and show cause fees for those who qualify.
"Our aim with this amnesty program is to provide a pathway for individuals to address their outstanding issues without fear of excessive penalties," said Danielle Castillo, 63rd District Court Administrator. "By waiving fees and warrants, we hope to facilitate a smoother path towards resolution and reconciliation with the law."
The key to the program is to invite people to resolve their outstanding issues without facing more penalties.
"As judges, our foremost concern is justice served with compassion," said Hon. Sara J. Smolenski. "Through this initiative, we seek to balance accountability with understanding, ensuring that those with outstanding matters can come forward, address their issues, and move forward with dignity."
Terms of the Amnesty Program
- Individuals may call the appropriate court to discuss balances and make payments, but you must appear in person to address a bench warrant.
- Eligible cases for amnesty include all misdemeanor cases, traffic tickets, and civil infractions, including those that have warrants for failure to pay, and in which late fees, show cause fees, and/or bench warrant fees have been assessed.
- During the amnesty period, late fees, show cause fees, and warrant fees will be waived upon payment in full of the original amount and the warrant will be cancelled. An agreement to a wage assignment will result in fees being removed once the original costs are paid in full. Any default on a wage assignment will result in fees not being removed.
- Payments can be made by cash, certified check or credit card (Visa/Mastercard). Personal checks are not accepted.
- If an individual’s driver’s license has been suspended by the Michigan Department of State for nonpayment of a traffic offense, the individual is still required to pay the $45 reinstatement fee to reinstate their driver’s license. The $45 fee will be remitted to the State of Michigan.
- If an individual is unable to pay in full, but makes a significant payment, the courts will work with the individual to set up a new payment plan regarding any outstanding balance and will not sentence them to jail for the inability to pay in full.
- This announcement will not prevent an individual’s arrest before they appear at the court.
Court Information
61st District Court - 180 Ottawa Ave NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Open: Monday through Friday - 7:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
62-B District Court - 4740 Walma Ave. SE Kentwood, MI 49512
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday - 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Tuesday - 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. |
Friday - 7:30 a.m. - Noon
63rd District Court - 1950 E Beltline Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Open: Monday through Friday - 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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