The CHAMP Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

In recent years, investigations by the Texas legislature recognized that there has been an enormous amount of uncollected money in the judicial system. In response, the state legislature enacted an article which requires collection for improvement programs of counties with large populations. However, Jefferson County found that the system established by the legislature to collect unclaimed judicial money was not functioning during the recession. The county saw that their revenue began to dwindle while the number of warrants they issued began to rise. In response, the county implemented it’s CHAMP program to ensure that defendants actually pay their fines. An acronym for Justice Court – In House Payment Improvement Program, the initiative established an adjudication system that educates the public on paying court fines. The program sends out letters to defendants which highlight the many new ways they can pay their obligations, including a new in-house credit card payment initiative. The letter is mailed immediately upon receipt of the ticket. In addition to the mailing initiative, the CHAMP program also includes an educational DVD for defendants to watch while they wait for their meeting with the judge. The short and informative video explains why the court is mandated to do payment plans and how the defendant can pay their fines. Additionally, the film teaches the defendant on court room etiquette and answers frequently asked questions. Since the full implementation of the program in 2011, intake has increased tremendously. In less than six months, the county saw $93,500 more in revenue than during the same time span a year earlier. By the end of the first year, the county had actually begun to dispose more cases than they took in.