Source: http://wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=HB4958%20ENG.htm&yr=2020&sesstype=RS&i=4958
Timestamp: 2020-07-04 18:45:01
Document Index: 661395318

Matched Legal Cases: ['§8', '§8', '§17', '§17', '§50', '§62', '§8', '§17', '§14', '§14', '§38', '§17', '§8', '§17', '§14', '§14', '§17', '§38', '§50', '§8', '§50', '§8', '§14', '§14', '§17', '§38', '§17', '§38']

HB 4958 Text
Engrossed Version House Bill 4958 History
[Originating in the Committee on the Judiciary; Reported on February 20, 2020.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §8-10-2a and §8-10-2b of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §17B-3-3a and §17B-3-3c of said code; to amend and reenact §50-3-2a of said code; and to amend and reenact §62-4-17 of said code, all relating to eliminating the ability of a person’s driver’s license to be suspended for the failure to pay court fines and costs; allowing court clerks to accept electronic payments, credit cards, cash, money orders, or certified checks; requiring magistrate, municipal, and circuit clerks to set up a payment plan if an individual signs an affidavit stating that he or she is unable to pay the court fines and costs imposed; requiring the Supreme Court of Appeals to generate forms; authorizing magistrate, municipal, and circuit clerks to assess late fees, to record a judgment lien for unpaid fines and costs in the county clerk’s office, and to send a debt to collections; and allowing for previously suspended driver’s licenses to be reinstated.
§8-10-2a. Payment of fines by electronic payments, credit cards, cash, money orders, or certified checks; payment plan; failure to pay will result in late fee and judgement lien; suspension of driver’s license for failure to pay motor vehicle violation fines or to appear in court.
(a) A municipal court may accept electronic payments, credit cards, cash, money order, or certified checks for of all costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties electronically, by mail, or in person. Any charges made by the credit company shall be paid by the person responsible for paying the cost, fine, fee, or penalty A municipal court may collect a substantial portion of all costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties at the time such amount is imposed by the court as described in this section. so long as the court requires the balance to be paid within 180 days from the date of judgment and in accordance with a: Provided, That all costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by the municipal court upon a nonresident of this state by judgment entered upon a conviction must be paid within 80 days from the date of judgment. If the following requirements are met, the municipal clerk shall set up a payment plan for anyone owing costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed by the court for a motor vehicle violation as defined in §17B-3-3a of this code, or other applicable municipal ordinances so long as, the person signs and files with the clerk, an affidavit, stating that he or she is financially unable to pay the costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed:
(1) A one-time $25 administrative processing fee shall be paid at the time the payment form is turned in or may be paid in no more than 5 equal monthly payments;
(2) A person must enroll in a payment plan no later than 180 calendar days after the date the court enters the order assessing the costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties; and
(3) If the person is incarcerated, he or she shall apply to the clerk for enrollment in a payment plan within 180 calendar days after release.
(b) The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals shall generate a uniform payment plan form and a uniform affidavit showing inability to pay for use by individuals seeking to establish a payment plan. Each clerk shall use the uniform payment plan form and uniform affidavit form when establishing payment plans.
(c)(1)The payment plan shall specify: (A) The number of additional payments to be made; (B) the dates on which such payments are due and amounts shall be made; (C) the amounts due for each payment on such dates; (D) all acceptable payment methods; and (E) the circumstances under which the person may receive a late fee, have a judgment lien recorded against them, or have the debt sent to collections for nonpayment.
(d)(1) The clerk may assess a $10 late fee each month if a person fails to comply with the terms of a payment plan and if any payment due is not received within 30 days after the due date, and the person: (1) Is not incarcerated; (2) has not brought the account current; (3) has not made alternative payment arrangements with the court; or (4) has not entered into a revised payment plan with the clerk before the due date.
(2) If after 90 days, a payment has not been received, the clerk may record a judgement lien as described in subsection (f) of this section or transmit notice to a private collection agency or private attorney authorized under §14-1-18c of this code or to an internal collection division to collect any delinquent costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties, or both: Provided, That the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the court and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees: Provided, however, That the collection fee may not exceed 25 percent of the delinquent payment amount. The clerk may send notices, electronically or by mail, to remind an individual of an upcoming or missed payment.
(e)(1) If a person does not enroll in a payment plan and does not pay their costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed within 180 days from the date of judgement, the clerk may assess a $10 late fee. The clerk shall notify the person that he or she is 180 days past due, has not enrolled in a payment plan, has received a $10 late fee, and may have a judgment lien recorded against him or her and have his or her debt sent to collections if not resolved within 30 days.
(2) If after an additional 30 days, a payment has not been received, the clerk may record a judgement lien as described in subsection (f) of this section or transmit notice to a private collection agency or private attorney authorized under §14-1-18c of this code or to an internal collection division to collect any delinquent costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties, or both: Provided, That the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the court and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees: Provided, however, That the collection fee may not exceed 25 percent of the delinquent payment amount:
(f) To record a judgement lien, the clerk shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of nonpayment and shall provide the prosecuting attorney with an abstract of judgment. The prosecuting attorney shall file the abstract of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in the county where the defendant was convicted and in any county wherein the defendant resides or owns property. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index these abstracts of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney and when so recorded, the amount stated to be owed in the abstract shall constitute a lien against all property of the defendant: Provided, That when all the costs, fines, fees, forfeitures or penalties described for which an abstract of judgment has been recorded are paid in full, the clerk of the municipal court shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of payment and provide the prosecuting attorney with a release of judgment, prepared in accordance with the provisions of §38-12-1 of this code, for filing and recordation pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. Upon receipt from the clerk, the prosecuting attorney shall file the release of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in each county where an abstract of the judgment was recorded. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index the release of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney.
(g) A person whose driver’s license was suspended before July 1, 2020, pursuant to this section solely for the nonpayment of costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties, if otherwise eligible, may apply to have his or her license reinstated: (1) Upon payment in full of all outstanding costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties and a reduced one-time $25 reinstatement fee paid to the Division of Motor Vehicles; or (2) upon enrolling in a payment plan, as described in this section, with the clerk and paying the $25 one-time administrative fee. Upon entering into a payment plan, the clerk shall provide a verification of enrollment to the Division of Motor Vehicles and to the person for submission to the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Division shall waive the reinstatement fee.
(b)(h) If costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by the municipal court for motor vehicle violations as defined in section three-a, article three, chapter seventeen-b of this code are not paid within the time limits imposed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or if a person fails to appear or otherwise respond in court when charged with a motor vehicle violation as defined in §17B-3-3a of this code, the municipal court must notify the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles of such failure to pay or failure to appear: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, the municipal court shall wait at least 90 days from the date that all costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties are due in full or, for failure to appear or otherwise respond, ninety days from the date of such failure before notifying the Division of Motor Vehicles thereof.
§8-10-2b. Payment plan; failure to pay will result in late fee and judgement lien; suspension of licenses for failure to pay fines and costs or failure to appear in court.
(a) If the following requirements are met, the municipal court clerk or, upon a judgment rendered on appeal, the circuit clerk shall set up a payment plan for anyone owing costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed by the court for a criminal offense as defined in §17B-3-3c of this code, or other applicable municipal ordinances so long as, the person signs and files with the clerk, an affidavit, stating that he or she is financially unable to pay the costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed:
(2) A person must enroll in a payment plan no later than 180 calendar days after the date the court enters the order assessing the costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties; and
(c)(1) The payment plan shall specify: (A) The number of additional payments to be made; (B) the dates on which such payments are due and amounts shall be made; (C) the amounts due for each payment on such dates; (D) all acceptable payment methods; and (E) the circumstances under which the person may receive a late fee, have a judgement lien recorded against them, or have the debt sent to collections for nonpayment;
(2) The monthly payment under the payment plan shall be calculated based upon all costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties owed within the court, and shall be two percent of the person’s annual net income divided by 12 or $10, whichever is greater;
(d) The clerk may assess a $10 late fee each month if a person fails to comply with the terms of a payment plan and if any payment due is not received within 30 days after the due date, and the person: (1) Is not incarcerated; (2) has not brought the account current; (3) has not made alternative payment arrangements with the court; or (4) has not entered into a revised payment plan with the clerk before the due date.
(2) If after 90 days, a payment has not been received, the clerk may record a judgement lien as described in subsection (f) of this section or transmit notice to a private collection agency or private attorney authorized under §14-1-18c of this code or to an internal collection division to collect any delinquent costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties, or both: Provided, That the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the court and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees: Provided, however, That the collection fee may not exceed 25 percent of the delinquent payment amount. The clerk may send notices, electronically or by mail, to remind an individual of an upcoming or missed payment.
(2) If after an additional 30 days, a payment has not been received, the clerk may record a judgement lien as described in subsection (f) of this section or transmit notice to a private collection agency or private attorney authorized under §14-1-18c of this code or to an internal collection division to collect any delinquent costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties, or both: Provided, That the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the court and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees: Provided, however, That the collection fee may not exceed 25 percent of the delinquent payment amount.
(f) To record a judgement lien, the clerk shall If costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by the municipal court upon conviction of a person for a criminal offense as defined in §17B-3-3c of this code are not paid in full within 180 days of the judgment, the municipal court clerk or, upon a judgment rendered on appeal, the circuit clerk shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of nonpayment and shall provide the prosecuting attorney with an abstract of judgment. The prosecuting attorney shall file the abstract of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in the county where the defendant was convicted and in any county wherein the defendant resides or owns property. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index these abstracts of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney and when so recorded, the amount stated to be owed in the abstract shall constitute a lien against all property of the defendant: Provided, That when all the costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution or penalties for which an abstract of judgment has been recorded are paid in full, the clerk of the municipal court shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of payment and provide the prosecuting attorney with a release of judgment, prepared in accordance with the provisions of §38-12-1 of this code, for filing and recordation pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. Upon receipt from the clerk, the prosecuting attorney shall file the release of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in each county where an abstract of the judgment was recorded. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index the release of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney. notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of the failure to pay: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, for residents of this state, the municipal court shall wait at least ninety days from the date that all costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties are due in full before notifying the Division of Motor Vehicles thereof: Provided, however, That at the time the judgment is imposed, the judge shall provide the person with written notice that failure to pay the same as ordered may result in the withholding of any income tax refund due the licensee and shall result in the suspension of the person’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state and that the suspension could result in the cancellation of, the failure to renew or the failure to issue an automobile insurance policy providing coverage for the person or the person’s family: Provided further, That the failure of the judge to provide notice does not affect the validity of any suspension of the person’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state. For purposes of this section, payment shall be stayed during any period an appeal from the conviction which resulted in the imposition of costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties is pending.
(c) (h) If a person charged with a criminal offense fails to appear or otherwise respond in court, the municipal court clerk shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of the failure to appear: Provided, That notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, for residents of this state, the municipal court clerk shall wait at least 90 days from the date of the person’s failure to appear or otherwise respond before notifying the Division of Motor Vehicles thereof. Upon notice, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the person’s driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state until such time that the person appears as required.
(c)(b) For the purposes of this section, §50-3-2a of this code and §8-10-2a of this code, “motor vehicle violation” shall be defined as any violation designated in chapters 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D, or 17E of this code or the violation of any municipal ordinance relating to the operation of a motor vehicle for which the violation thereof would result in a fine or penalty: Provided, That any parking violation or other violation for which a citation may be issued to an unattended vehicle shall not be considered a motor vehicle violation for the purposes of this section, §50-3-2a of this code, or §8-10-2a of this code.
(b) If the following requirements are met, the magistrate clerk shall set up a payment plan for anyone owing costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed by the court, so long as, the person signs and files with the clerk, an affidavit, stating that he or she is financially unable to pay the costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed:
(c) The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals shall generate a uniform payment plan form and a uniform affidavit showing his or her inability to pay for use by individuals seeking to establish a payment plan. Each clerk shall use the uniform payment plan form and uniform affidavit form when establishing payment plans.
(b)(d)(1) Unless otherwise required by law, a magistrate court may collect a portion of any costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution or penalties at the time the amount is imposed by the court so long as the court requires the balance to be paid in accordance with a The payment plan shall specify: which specifies: (A) The number of payments to be made; (B) the dates on which the payments are due; and (C) the amounts due for each payment; (D) all acceptable payment methods; and (E) the circumstances under which the person may receive a late fee, have a judgement lien recorded against them, or have the debt sent to collections for nonpayment.
(e)(1) The clerk may assess a $10 late fee each month if a person fails to comply with the terms of a payment plan and if any payment due is not received within 30 days after the due date, and the person: (1) Is not incarcerated; (2) has not brought the account current; (3) has not made alternative payment arrangements with the court; or (4) has not entered into a revised payment plan with the clerk before the due date.
(2) If after 90 days, a payment has not been received, the clerk may record a judgement lien as described in subsection (g) of this section or transmit notice to a private collection agency or private attorney authorized under §14-1-18c of this code or to an internal collection division to collect any delinquent costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties, or both: Provided, That the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the court and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees: Provided, however, That the collection fee may not exceed 25 percent of the delinquent payment amount. The clerk may send notices, electronically, or by mail, to remind an individual of an upcoming or missed payment.
(f)(1) If a person does not enroll in a payment plan and does not pay their costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed within 180 days from the date of judgement, the clerk may assess a $10 late fee. The clerk shall notify the person that he or she is 180 days past due, has not enrolled in a payment plan, has received a $10 late fee, and may have a judgment lien recorded against him or her and have his or her debt sent to collections if not resolved within 30 days.
(2) If after an additional 30 days, a payment has not been received, the clerk may record a judgement lien as described in subsection (g) of this section or transmit notice to a private collection agency or private attorney authorized under §14-1-18c of this code or to an internal collection division to collect any delinquent costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties, or both: Provided, That the entire amount of all delinquent payments collected shall be remitted to the court and shall not be reduced by any collection costs or fees: Provided, however, That the collection fee may not exceed 25 percent of the delinquent payment amount.
(g) To record a judgement lien, the clerk shall If costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by the municipal court upon conviction of a person for a criminal offense as defined in §17B-3-3c of this code are not paid in full within 180 days of the judgment, the municipal court clerk or, upon a judgment rendered on appeal, the circuit clerk shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of nonpayment and shall provide the prosecuting attorney with an abstract of judgment. The prosecuting attorney shall file the abstract of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in the county where the defendant was convicted and in any county wherein the defendant resides or owns property. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index these abstracts of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney and when so recorded, the amount stated to be owed in the abstract shall constitute a lien against all property of the defendant: Provided, That when all the costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution, or penalties for which an abstract of judgment has been recorded are paid in full, the clerk of the municipal court shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of payment and provide the prosecuting attorney with a release of judgment, prepared in accordance with the provisions of §38-12-1 of this code, for filing and recordation pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. Upon receipt from the clerk, the prosecuting attorney shall file the release of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in each county where an abstract of the judgment was recorded. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index the release of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney.
(h) A person whose driver’s license was suspended before July 1, 2020, pursuant to this section solely for the nonpayment of costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties, if otherwise eligible, may apply to have his or her license reinstated: (1) Upon payment in full of all outstanding costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties and a reduced one-time $25 reinstatement fee paid to the Division of Motor Vehicles; or (2) upon enrolling in a payment plan, as described in this section, with the clerk and paying the $25 one-time administrative fee. Upon entering into a payment plan, the clerk shall provide a verification of enrollment to the Division of Motor Vehicles and to the person for submission to the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Division shall waive the reinstatement fee.
(c)(1) If any costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution or penalties imposed by the in a criminal case are not paid within one hundred eighty days from the date of judgment and the expiration of any stay of execution, the magistrate court clerk or, upon judgment rendered on appeal, the circuit clerk shall notify the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles of the failure to pay: Provided, That in a criminal case in which a nonresident of this state is convicted of a motor vehicle violation defined in section three-a, article three, chapter seventeen-b of this code, the appropriate clerk shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of the failure to pay within eighty days from the date of judgment and expiration of any stay of execution. Upon notice, the Division of Motor Vehicles shall suspend any privilege the person defaulting on payment may have to operate a motor vehicle in this state, including any driver’s license issued to the person by the Division of Motor Vehicles, until all costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution or penalties are paid in full. The suspension shall be imposed in accordance with the provisions of section six, article three, chapter seventeen-b of this code: Provided, That any person who has had his or her license to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended pursuant to this subsection and his or her failure to pay is based upon inability to pay, may, if he or she is employed on a full- or part-time basis, petition to the circuit court for an order authorizing him or her to operate a motor vehicle solely for employment purposes. Upon a showing satisfactory to the court of inability to pay, employment and compliance with other applicable motor vehicle laws, the court shall issue an order granting relief
(3)(2) In addition to the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, If any costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution or penalties imposed or ordered by the magistrate court for a fishing violation described in chapter 20 of this code are not paid within 180 days from the date of judgment and the expiration of any stay of execution, the magistrate court clerk or, upon a judgment rendered on appeal, the circuit clerk shall notify the Director of the Division of Natural Resources of the failure to pay. Upon notice, the Director of the Division of Natural Resources shall suspend any privilege the person failing to appear or otherwise respond may have to fish in this state, including any fishing license issued to the person by the Division of Natural Resources, until all the costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution, or penalties are paid in full.
(a)(1) If costs, fines, forfeitures, penalties or restitution imposed by the circuit court upon conviction of a person for any criminal offense under this code are not paid in full when ordered to do so by the court, the circuit clerk shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of such failure to pay: Provided, That at the time the judgment is imposed, the court shall provide the person with written notice that failure to pay the same when ordered to do so shall result in the suspension of such person’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state and that such suspension could result in the cancellation of, the failure to renew or the failure to issue an automobile insurance policy providing coverage for such person or such person’s family: Provided, however, That the failure of the court to provide such notice shall not affect the validity of any suspension of such person’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state. For purposes of this section, such period of time within which the person is required to pay shall be stayed during any period an appeal from the conviction which resulted in the imposition of such costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties is pending.
If the following requirements are met, the circuit clerk shall set up a payment plan for anyone owing costs, fines, forfeitures, penalties, or restitution imposed by the circuit court for any criminal offense under this code, so long as, the person signs and files with the clerk, an affidavit, stating that he or she is financially unable to pay the costs, fines, forfeitures, or penalties imposed:
(b) The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals shall generate a uniform payment plan form and a uniform affidavit showing his or her inability to pay for use by individuals seeking to establish a payment plan. Each clerk shall use the uniform payment plan form and uniform affidavit form when establishing payment plans. (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, the notice of the failure to pay such costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties shall not be given where the circuit court, upon application of the person upon whom the same were imposed filed prior to the expiration of the period within which the same are required to be paid, enters an order finding that such person is financially unable to pay all or a portion of the same: Provided, That where the circuit court, upon finding that the person is financially unable to pay the full amount thereof, requires the person to pay the remaining portion thereof, the circuit clerk shall notify the Division of Motor Vehicles of such person’s failure to pay the same if the same is not paid within the period of time ordered by such court
(2)(c)(1) The payment plan shall specify: (A) The number of additional payments to be made; (B) the dates on which such payments are due; (C) the amounts due for each payment on such dates; (D) all acceptable payment methods; and (E) the circumstances under which the person may receive a late fee, have a judgement lien recorded against them, or have the sent to collections for nonpayment.
(2) The monthly payment under the payment plan shall be calculated based upon all costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties owed within the court, and shall be two percent of the person’s annual net income divided by 12 or $10, whichever is greater.
(f) To record a judgement lien, the clerk shall If costs, fines, forfeitures or penalties imposed by the municipal court upon conviction of a person for a criminal offense as defined in §17B-3-3c of this code are not paid in full within 180 days of the judgment, the municipal court clerk or, upon a judgment rendered on appeal, the circuit clerk shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of nonpayment and shall provide the prosecuting attorney with an abstract of judgment. The prosecuting attorney shall file the abstract of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in the county where the defendant was convicted and in any county wherein the defendant resides or owns property. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index these abstracts of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney and when so recorded, the amount stated to be owed in the abstract shall constitute a lien against all property of the defendant: Provided, That when all the costs, fines, fees, forfeitures, restitution, or penalties for which an abstract of judgment has been recorded are paid in full, the clerk of the municipal court shall notify the prosecuting attorney of the county of payment and provide the prosecuting attorney with a release of judgment, prepared in accordance with the provisions of §38-12-1 of this code, for filing and recordation pursuant to the provisions of this subdivision. Upon receipt from the clerk, the prosecuting attorney shall file the release of judgment in the office of the clerk of the county commission in each county where an abstract of the judgment was recorded. The clerks of the county commissions shall record and index the release of judgment without charge or fee to the prosecuting attorney.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to eliminate the ability of a person’s driver’s license to be suspended for the failure to pay court fines and costs. The bill requires clerks to set up a payment plan for individuals unable to pay. The bill authorizes the clerks to assess late fees, record judgement liens, and use collection agencies or private attorneys to collect a delinquent debt. This bill shall be effective from July 1, 2020.