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1. Do I have to drive to Decatur to the Justice of the Peace Office?

No, you may request an application from the Justice of the Peace (JP) office or you can download the application from the JP Number 1 website and then mail or fax the completed application to the court. We will verify at least 2 contact numbers. Once a payment agreement is established you will be mailed a copy of the agreement. The payment agreement may be signed at the JP Number 1 office when the payment is made or the signed agreement may be mailed along with your first payment to the Court. Failure to pay your fines and court costs will result in a warrant for your immediate arrest and/or a hold being placed on your driver's license.

2. Do I need to make a payment today? How much?

In most cases, you will have 10 days from the date of sentencing to pay your fine in full or request a payment plan. If you request a payment plan, a significant payment will be required the day of sentencing or within 72 hours. A $25 time payment fee is assessed per case for any payment plan.

3. What happens if I do not contact the Court and execute my Court ordered payment plan?

A warrant will be issued for your immediate arrest and/or there will be a hold placed on your driver's license through the OMNI Data system. It is the defendant's responsibility to complete their financial responsibility and to advise the Court of any address changes.

4. What happens if I do not fill out my application in full?

You will be asked to complete the application and failure to do so will delay the process. If you do not know the answer to the question write I do not know or place a question mark where your answer should be. If a question does not apply to your circumstances write N/A (non-applicable). All the spaces must be filled in for the application to be complete.

5. Will the information I give on the application be verified and checked?

Yes, some of the information will be verified before you leave. Other items will be checked after your payment plan is signed and executed.

6. What happens if I do not tell the truth on the application?

Giving wrongful or false information on your application may result in your prosecution for the offense of aggravated perjury, a felony punishable by imprisonment not to exceed ten years and a fine not to exceed $10,000 or both fine and imprisonment.

7. During the 10 days after sentencing and before I must enter a payment plan, can I pay it off in full early? How?

Yes, you may go to the Justice of the Peace Number 1 office and pay with cash, money order, or cashier's check-in person or you may pay by mail. You may also pay online with a credit or debit card, however; you must contact the Court for information on your case before doing this, and there is a convenience fee added. No personal checks accepted.

8. What happens if I make a payment and forget to make the rest?

You will be notified by phone and given written notice when you become delinquent on your payments. If you do not comply with all the provisions of your Court ordered payment plan, at some point your case will be remanded to the OMNI Data system to place a hold on your driver's license and/or a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

9. How long do I have to pay out my fines, court costs and fees?

The majority of the payment plans are structured where 100% of your fines, court costs, and fees will be paid within thirty days of your court sentence.