El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants who want to avoid the publication of their name that they need to pay their outstanding balances in full by Friday, May 28, 2010.
On Monday, May 31, 2010, the County Attorney's Office will publish in the El Paso County's web page, and with local media outlets the names and addresses of more than 3,600 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants.
The current amnesty period to pay your outstanding balances without fear of being arrested runs through Monday, June 7, 2010. Individuals who pay their outstanding balances during the amnesty period will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant round-up being coordinated by the County Attorney's Office with the assistance of the El Paso Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, local constables and the Fort Bliss Military police. Additionally, by paying their outstanding balances during the amnesty period, they will save money by avoiding the payment of various fees, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond after arrest.
Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments in person at the following locations:
- El Paso County Courthouse
500 E. San Antonio, room 503 (5th floor)
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
- El Paso County Ysleta Annex
9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Forms of payment accepted include most credit cards, money orders, cashiers checks, and cash; those paying cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers can't give change).
In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA.
For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051 or visit the El Paso County Attorney's Office web site at: www.epcounty.com/CA.
There are currently more than 3,600 names in the County's hot checks warrants list who owe local merchants more than $3.3 million dollars. During last fiscal year (2008-2009) the Hot Check Unit collected 1.2 million dollars in outstanding hot checks. Since Friday May 14, 2010 when the amnesty period was announced, the County Attorney's Office has collected over $16,000 from 87 hot check writers.
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2010 Hot Check Amnesty Press Release #1.pdf