Municipal court fines up almost 35% from '02

7/2/2003

Toledo Municipal Court collected nearly 35 percent more in outstanding fines and court costs last month than in June, 2002, and the clerk of court attributed the increase to a program that blocks people from renewing their driver's licenses or vehicle registrations until the debts are paid.

The court collected $316,340 last month compared to $234,652 in June of last year. Clerk of Court Theresa M. Gabriel said yesterday the increase is a “direct result” of the fine-collection program, which was announced in mid-March.

The program occurred after the court determined it was owed more than $7 million from about 71,000 cases. The program doesn't target people with unpaid parking tickets. The court hopes to collect about $3 million of the $7 million this year.

Lists of outstanding cases are posted at the clerk's office and on the web site www.tmc-clerk.com.