This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to empower city attorneys and municipal court clerks to file judgment liens for unpaid fines and delinquent payment plans. Specifically, it introduces new provisions that allow these officials to notify the city attorney or prosecuting attorney of nonpayment and provide them with an abstract of judgment for filing. The bill also stipulates that the clerk of the county commission must record and index these abstracts without charge, establishing a lien against the defendant's property. Additionally, it outlines the process for releasing a judgment lien once all payments are made, ensuring that the city attorney or municipal court clerk is involved in filing the release.

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing language regarding payment plans, specifying that individuals must enroll in a payment plan or pay their fines in full within certain timeframes, with the potential for late fees and judgment liens if they fail to comply. It also clarifies the conditions under which a driver's license may be suspended for nonpayment and establishes a process for reinstatement of licenses that were suspended due to nonpayment of fines. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the enforcement of court-imposed financial obligations and enhance the collection of unpaid fines.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-10-2b