A new program aimed at helping persons with delinquent fines square their accounts away, was recently set into place in Audubon County. Acting Audubon County Attorney Brenna Bird says the new program makes paying what you much easier and less burdensome on your wallet. Bird says “The Judicial Branch allows the County Attorney’s Office to enter into payment plans with folks.” She says it’s a win-win for everyone. It benefits taxpayers, victims of crimes, the people who owe money, and Audubon County. The County, she says, gets 28% of the money that comes in, which is applied to the County’s fund set-up to help those operations.

The 28% does NOT reduce the money paid to victims. She said “Victims always get paid first. The first dollar right off the top.” There’s no discount to what they receive just because there’s a collections program.The court system handles a variety of offenses and fines, including traffic citations, expired license, restitution following a criminal offense conviction and court-appointed  attorney fees. Bird says getting those debts paid-off is important to keeping or getting your driver’s license.

Bird says they understand it’s very difficult for people to get their lives back together after they are arrested for drugs, OWI or other offenses. A lot of the cases they see are drug related. This program, she says, offers a way to for those persons to get back on track.

All you have to do is call the Audubon County Attorney’s Office at 712-563-2202 and let their staff research your case. They’ll call you back with an equitable solution to paying your fine(s) to the Clerk of Court. You can also e-mail them at audcoatty@auduboncountyia.gov.

Please note, you cannot have someone call for you, as the information they need and provide is personal and confidential.