Pay fines before warrant sweep begins
Violators have one week to clear tickets

(August 15, 2008) - People with overdue City tickets have from now until August 24 to pay their fines before City marshals and police begin an intensive warrant sweep from August 25-29.

Those that don’t pay their fines now not only face the embarrassment of arrest but could also risk adding impoundment fees, bond fees and the cost of a jail stay to their initial warrant.

“We are giving people an opportunity to come in, pay their fines and avoid arrest before the crackdown begins,” said Court Administrator Stacey Davis.

People who don’t have the money to pay the entire fine are still encouraged to come in and ask a judge in court for more time to pay.  Walk-in court sessions are held every weekday at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

During the sweep, police officers and City marshals plan to show up at a violator’s home, work or school to make an arrest.  The most common warrants are for traffic tickets, DUI, failure to appear in court and assault and battery charges.

More than 100,000 warrants are currently outstanding with Oklahoma City and the total amount due exceeds $20 million.  The number of outstanding warrants represents 5.8 percent of all citations issued over the past ten years.

The typical violator owes about $500.  There are instances where people owe multiple warrants and could owe several thousands of dollars in unpaid fines or bonds.

Most warrants can be paid by phone at 297-2361 or in person from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week at the Municipal Court, 700 Couch Drive.  Online payment for traffic tickets can be made at www.okc.gov.  The City accepts cash along with Visa, Discover and American Express cards.