The Bureau of Collection’s primary mission is to collect and account for costs, fines, and restitution ordered by the Court. When these funds are collected, they are disbursed to the county, local municipalities, state, and victims of crimes.

Unlike private collection agencies, this department is able to use all of the powers of the judicial system. Defendants, who fail to meet the payment schedules established by the department, are automatically scheduled for contempt hearings before the Court which are held twice a year when cases have certain criteria.

This department of the Court accepts payments by cash, money order, and check. In addition, payroll deductions are used. Since 1991, civil judgments are entered against parties on all partial payment cases. This has given the Court added leverage in the collection effort since defendants will be unable to obtain future credit, buy a home, or make a large purchase until they pay in full and the judgment is removed from the record.

A staff of four cross-trained individuals effectively handle all phases of the collection process.

In 1998, the monthly state collection report was automated, saving hours of manual preparation time.

Programming is constantly updated to accommodate new Acts and Laws and is used as an effective tool. New letters have been devised to alert defendants of their delinquency. The Bureau of Collections now utilizes a conference letter that is generated at thirty and/or sixty days and the newest addition is the ninety day pre contempt letter.