City Court turning to a collection agency for overdue fines

People with outstanding fines in Havre City Court may want to pay up more promptly in 2004, as the court implements new measures.

"What has happened over the years is they wait until the last minute," City Judge Joyce Perszyk said last week.

"The incentive is to get it done right away," she said.

Until now, she said, people with fines had as much as five or six months to pay the money or work it off by doing community service before the court would issue a warrant.

Under a new time-pay arrangement at the court, people who owe fines will have a maximum of three months to pay the money or do...