News Release

From the City of Tacoma, Washington

www.cityoftacoma.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2009

MEDIA CONTACTS

Karrie Spitzer, Community Relations, karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5790

Yvonne L. Pettus, Tacoma Municipal Court, yvonne.pettus@ci.tacoma.wa.us, (253) 591-5259

Tacoma Municipal Court offering debt reductions for fines, fees and collections during May and June

In an effort to help citizens regain their driver’s licenses and reduce debt owed to courts and their collection agencies for unpaid fines and fees, Tacoma Municipal Court is offering a debt reduction program throughout the months of May and June. 

The program is designed to help those with outstanding criminal and traffic parking tickets and fines regain their driver’s licenses after being revoked due to unpaid fines and fees. The court will be working with the collection agency (NCO Financial Systems, Inc.) to waive interest and a significant portion of the collection costs for these individuals.  

“The Tacoma Municipal Court is participating in this program to assist citizens with debt reduction and to increase public safety,” said Presiding Judge David B. Ladenburg. “Public safety is improved when drivers are licensed and insured.”

The court is offering the program from May 1 through June 30, 2009.  Those with outstanding tickets or fines should contact NCO Financial Systems, Inc. directly by calling 1-888-289-0907. 

Once tickets are paid in full and reported to the court, the court will notify the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) to clear the driving record. The driver may be able to obtain a valid driver’s license 48 hours later if there are no other offenses on the driving record.

More than 100 courts throughout the state are participating in similar debt reduction programs throughout the month of May.  For a full listing of courts participating, visit the Washington Courts Web site at www.courts.wa.gov.

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