Legal Question in Criminal Law in Ohio

Failure to pay a fine

I have an unpaid court fine of $790.00 for a DUI, in Butler County. I was convicted of this in 1995 in absentia. In July of 2004, they sent me a letter wanting their money, telling me that a warrant will be issued for my arrest and my driving priveledges will be terminated if I chose to ignore this notice. Can they do this? Should the limitations have long since ran out? They issued a warrant in 95 and the warrant expired in 98.


Asked on 8/23/04, 3:37 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Richard Cline Office of the Ohio Public Defender

Re: Failure to pay a fine

If you were legally convicted in abstentia, there is no statute of limitations, because the case is already over. The warrant is to enforce the fine, not to start the prosecution. Whether or not "they can legally do that" the truth is that the Court can, and often does, issue a warrant for your arrest for non-payment of fines. Even if you are right (when you suggest that they should not be allowed to do this) you will still be in jail.

My recommendation is that you not fool around with this. Either get an attorney or contact the court yourself, but get this paid.

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Answered on 8/23/04, 10:55 pm


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