Constables Warrant Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

1. Abstract of the Program Maricopa County found itself in a financial crisis and in the position that $92 million was owed in unpaid fines ordered by the justice courts. Warrants were issued for the collection of these fines but there was no active effort by any law enforcement agency to serve these warrants. Three of the Maricopa County Constables saw the need for dedicated personnel solely for the service and collection of these fines. A pilot program was developed using existing personnel on a limited basis to test the feasibility of a Constables Warrants Division (CWD). This pilot program ran on a part-time basis for six months. The pilot program was successful in the collection of these fines on a part-time basis, collecting $67,000 using very limited resources. The Constables then proposed to the county a full scale pilot program using full-time personnel dedicated solely to the Constables Warrants Division. Three goals were developed for the program to be successful and bring in more revenue for the county. 1) To increase the collection of unpaid fines. 2) To clear the large amounts of failure to pay (FTP) warrants currently in the justice system. 3) To accomplish goals one and two without incarcerating individuals whenever possible and without increasing any cost to the county.Using a process that was developed by the CWD the pilot program has been able to collect to date, over $1,038,000.00 using limited resources and four positions dedicated to the pilot program. At this time because of the success of the program Maricopa County is considering making this a permanent division of the Maricopa County Constables.