Effective In Court Compliance Service

Creating Understanding

Clarifying need and purpose will create assistance and overcome resistance. Involve your court team in your court compliance project.

The best way to recover court ordered compliance is to initiate payment plans at sentencing hearings. All parties are present. The outcome becomes real, and attention is high.

In order to create a solid plan, you need a dedicated team and the right tools and technology to ensure an efficient process. But before all that comes together it’s important to talk with your courtroom partners to create awareness of your purpose taking their concerns into consideration. This includes the judge, attorneys, and court security. Each are essential in helping the process run smoothly.

Judicial concerns are obviously important and should be evaluated carefully including the burden for defendants, timing in the courtroom, and how this benefits the judge. Anticipating these needs can reduce concerns while also realizing improved outcomes.

1.By directing defendants to the Clerk, judges are providing immediate financial counseling on how to take care of court ordered compliance.

2.Clerk assistance provides continuing resources throughout the term of a developed plan by matching individual circumstances to an amount and time period and creating reminders for obligations.

3.Judges will see fewer failure actions and suspended license cases by ensuring defendants receive payment plan assistance.

Attorneys on both sides of a criminal case are looking to close cases, the defense attorney, in the best interest of their client and the prosecutor in the best interest of the State. For both, closing is important. Directing clients to payment reviews may appear to create additional work that weighs down negotiations. However, immediately reviewing terms provides payment options for clients creating a better chance for compliance success. Helpful payment service is good for clients and attorneys.

Court security will look at changes based on how much more will be required and if this change will create additional safety risks . A change in process works better when court security is aware of them. This includes where people will be located, what material will be used, when the process will occur, and how much additional time these changes take. Judges, Attorneys, and Court Security are key players who can help if they understand the need and the benefit for compliance clients and to the courtroom process. Knowledge builds trust which is key to encouraging your plan.

Don Murphy is the Principal and Senior Consultant for Compliance Improvement Services (CIS) which provides consulting and training for courts and local government.  He is a Fellow with the National Center for State Courts and has over 25 years of court administration experience.

 Don has spoken about improving practices in compliance and collections at events for a number of court associations, including the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers, the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, and the Georgia Council of Court Administrators.