General Collections Information
When appearing in court you will learn you are expected to pay fines or fees. Some of the fines and fees are County fees payable to Lassen County Recovery and Reimbursement. Other fines and fees are payable to The Superior Court of California, County of Lassen. The information below will help provide assistance in paying court ordered fines and fees.
§ Day of Court
When you have been ordered to pay a fine or fee on a criminal case and you are unable to pay in full within 7 business days, please report to Recovery and Reimbursement immediately following court.
If you are unable to report, please call the main line at 530-251-8227 for assistance over the telephone. Recovery and Reimbursement will work with you to establish payment options.
§ Ability to Pay
All income and basic expenses are reviewed. Financial Evaluations are used to assist in determining the amount of your monthly installment after all basic necessities are paid.
If you are unemployed or become ill and will not be able to make your scheduled payments, please contact Recovery and Reimbursement immediately for your options.
§ Financial Forms
Financials are required immediately to income qualify for the following services:
1. Public Defender Services
2. Conflict Attorney Services
3. Adult Probation Costs
4. Juvenile Probation Costs
5. Juvenile Hall Costs
6. Electronic Monitoring
When you report to Recovery and Reimbursement you will be required to complete a Financial. The form requires you to list all income and expense to assist in determining the amount of your installment agreement for monthly payments of fines and fees. Incomplete forms and forms with all zeros and no explanation of how you are receiving food/shelter/basic needs with not be accepted. A judgment will be levied for the full amount.
§ Verification of Income
The Verification of Income lists documents needed to verify your financial status. A list of documents used to verify financial status is below:
1. Copy of paycheck stubs for two years
2. Verification of all other types of income (self-employment, unemployment, welfare, etc.)
3. Income tax records (Federal and State)
4. Bank statements for six months
5. Copies of all credit card monthly bills for six months
6. Copy of gas, electrical, telephone bills for six months
7. Copy of purchase agreements including but not limited to autos, homes, furnishings, electronics, etc.
8. Rent or mortgage payment receipts
§ Payment Installment Plans
Payment plans consist of the following:
1. Monthly payment until paid in full
2. Down payment with agreement for monthly payment until paid in full
3. Back payments until paid in full
§ Payment Options
You may pay by cash, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), and debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo, cashier ’s check, money order, or personal check.
Pay In Person or By Mail
Payments can be made the Main Office at:
Recovery and Reimbursement
220 South Lassen, Suite 3
Susanville, Ca. 96130
Payments can be made at our Satellite Office the 1st through 10th of every month at:
Lassen County Government Center
2950 Riverside Drive
Susanville, Ca. 96130
Please make checks or money order to Recovery and Reimbursement.
***Include your client number or docket number on all checks or money orders to ensure proper processing.
Pay Online
You may pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and American Express), and debit card with a Visa or MasterCard logo at www.lassencounty.org Click on the binoculars, search for Office of Recovery & Reimbursement, click the Pay Online Link.
Note: Additional fees of $2.95 apply for all credit card and debit card payments.
Online Banking
Check with your financial institution for information regarding online bill pay. Please make online banking checks payable to Recovery and Reimbursement.
***Include your client number or docket number on all checks to ensure proper processing.
§ Failure To Pay
Failure to pay court-ordered fine, fee, or penalty could result in collection through the following:
1. Hearing for allegation of Violation of Probation
2. Wage garnishment
3. Liens on property
4. Franchise Tax Board- Tax Refund Intercept
5. Franchise Tax Board- Collection Agency
6. Civil Assessment
7. Outside collection agency
§ Bankruptcy Information
Court-ordered fines, fees, and assessments are NOT eligible for discharge.
Any fines, fees, and restitution imposed by the court are still enforced as outlined in Title 11 of USCS, §523, “Exceptions to discharge” (a)(6), (7), (9), and (13). These codes state in part, “…to the extent debt is for a fine, penalty, forfeiture payable to and for the benefit of a government unit, and is not compensation for actual pecuniary (commercial) loss, other than a tax penalty.”
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