SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Justice Court will now accept donation receipts from select charitable organizations in place of fines, fees and community service hours from offenders who are ordered to pay the court.
Anyone who owes the court can pay their debts by donating to either Shelter the Homeless or the Salt Lake Education Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund, or they can volunteer with select organizations involved in fighting COVID-19. All they have to do is request a receipt from the organization upon payment and provide it to the court as proof or provide signed documentation of their community service hours.
According to Judge Clemens Landau, who issued the order, this initiative is dual-purposed: it helps get money to the communities who need it the most while helping people in the court system move through quickly and efficiently.
“We’re trying to keep courts moving along and also get donations to resources that need them the most. We figured this was the best way to meet those needs,” he said. “It’s an unusual step but it was a step to help people who need it most and get people to take care of their court fees.”
Landau said the courts will likely have a backlog of nearly 1,500 cases when they start returning to normal operations in June, so he hopes people in the court system will take advantage of the unique opportunities presented to them to resolve their cases.
He’s also encouraging people with straightforward cases to contact the Salt Lake City prosecutor and a public defender to keep their cases moving forward instead of waiting for the courts to reopen. Defendants can also request to have their cases move forward through a virtual hearing under the special orders.
“When the danger subsides, (offenders) won’t have to spend 10 days in jail and will be ready to work by the time the economy reopens,” Landau said.
James Yapias, director of development for the Salt Lake Education Foundation, commended the court’s efforts to help both vulnerable communities and those navigating the criminal justice system.
“I think what’s most important is that we continue to collaborate,” Yapias said, “There’s a lot of people who need help, so we need to work together.”
He said the foundation has seen an increase in donations to the emergency fund, but couldn’t say whether the increase is due to the court’s decision or because people want to help in general during these uncertain times.
Landau echoed Yapias saying the courts aren’t sure how many people have donated instead of paying fines, but he estimates the number is less than 20. He said this is likely due to people not knowing that this is an option available to them during the pandemic.
Utah’s chief justice ordered judges in the state to design and implement plans to limit or cancel nonessential court hearings in March to help curb the spread of the virus. Since then, courts have been tasked with balancing public health and the right to a speedy trial.
“You kind of have to reimagine what you’re doing. Look at strengths and play to those,” Landau said.