Wismer: If you have a balance at the courts, talk to your judge about deferment

These are troubled times.

I know that sounds cliché, but that phrase regrettably represents our reality. We are now, on a daily basis, inundated with sobering health, financial and employment news.

Rather that editorializing about our collective plight, which is now, or may be in the future, more significant for some than others, I’m going to get right to the point.

If someone who reads this column has an outstanding balance, be it civil traffic or criminal, that is due to  the court I represent (Arrowhead Justice Court), another court in Arizona or one located elsewhere in this country, and is unable to keep up with the current payment plan terms — write to the court. Explain your situation in detail to the judge. We have a great deal of authority to decide what to do with unpaid balances. And while I don’t speak for anyone other than myself, I assure you I will read your correspondence and you will hear back from me. Right now, you should receive my response in fairly short order. If it turns out that courts in the future limit operations due to reasons involving public health concerns, my response time may be a bit longer. 

What I said also applies to court orders involving requirements to complete community restitution/service and education.

People have routinely told me that either they didn’t know they could write to a judge or that one would listen to them if they did. But doing so is no different than writing to your mortgage company, landlord or utility provider. We will listen to you and do what we are of the opinion is appropriate under the circumstances. But you have to take the first step and put pen to paper, as the saying goes.

I look forward to hearing from you if the need arises.

Editor’s note: Craig Wismer is the Justice of the Peace for Arrowhead Justice Court, which serves most of Peoria and surrounding areas.