June 2010 - Posts
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today announced that hundreds of individuals took advantage of the hot check amnesty period that began on May 14, 2010. During the amnesty period, persons who paid their outstanding balances avoided payment of various charges, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond after arrest.
Individuals who did not take advantage of the amnesty period will be targeted during upcoming county-wide warrant round-ups 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.
Since Friday May 14, 2010, when the amnesty program was announced, 451 El Paso residents took advantage of the program paying 562 outstanding hot-checks that amounted to more than $74,300.
Individuals with outstanding hot-checks may attempt to avoid arrest in the upcoming roundups by paying as soon as possible. However, the amnesty period is over, and law enforcement officers can conduct arrests at any time without prior notice. Payments can be made 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, individuals 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.
The list with the names of individuals and outstanding amounts will remain posted at the El Paso County's main web page (http://www.epcounty.com/).
Additionally, the following media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web-sites to make it easier for the public to access the information:
- KVIA ABC-7
- KTSM NewsChannel 9
- KFOX-TV Channel 14
- KINT Univision 26
- Diario de El Paso
- Spotlight E.P. News
During last fiscal year (2008-2009) the Hot Check Unit collected 1.2 million dollars in outstanding hot checks.
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2010 Hot Check Amnesty Ends Press Release.pdf
So far more than 300 residents have paid nearly $65,000
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that Monday June 7, 2010 is the last day to take advantage of the current amnesty period.
Individuals that pay their outstanding amount by Monday 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, individuals who pay their outstanding balances before the end of the amnesty period will save money by avoiding the payment of various charges, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond after arrest.
A list with the names and addresses of more than 3,600 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 3.3 million dollars was made public on May 31, 2010 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main web page (http://www.epcounty.com/).
Additionally, the following media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web-sites to make it easier for the public to access the information:
- KVIA ABC-7
- KTSM NewsChannel 9
- KFOX-TV Channel 14
- KINT Univision 26
- Diario de El Paso
- Spotlight E.P. News
Residents with outstanding hot check warrants who want to take advantage of the amnesty period can make their payments in person without fear of arrest 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.
Since May 14, 2010, when the amnesty period was announced, the County Attorney's Office has collected more than $64,000 from more than 310 individuals.
During last fiscal year (2008-2009) the Hot Check Unit collected 1.2 million dollars in outstanding hot checks.
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2010 Hot Check Amnesty Press Release #3.pdf
On Friday June 4, 2010, El Paso County Attorney Office will hold an Open House for its new Ysleta Annex location.
The satellite office opened a couple of weeks ago, and gives far-East El Paso County residents easy access to all of the services the County Attorney's Office provides, such as protective orders to victims of domestic violence, hot check collections, and elderly protective services.
The new office is part of a plan by County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal to provide services at locations that are closer and more accessible to victims of crime who live in the outlying areas of the County.
"It has been our experience that some county residents do not access our services because they do not have a vehicle or the time to travel all the way from Fabens or Tornillo to our office in downtown El Paso. Other times, victims of domestic violence who are undocumented immigrants feel uneasy about coming to the County Courthouse due to the constant presence of law enforcement officers. This new office will make it easier for them to access our services," Bernal said.
Bernal explained that despite any County's budget constraints, she will continue to explore the possibility of opening County Attorney's satellite offices in other areas of the County in the near future.
"Our County is quite big geographically, and we need to look for ways to better serve and protect victims of crime, the elderly, and County residents in general," Bernal concluded.
The Open House of the new County Attorney's Office is scheduled for this Friday June 3, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. at the County Ysleta Annex, 9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3. Refreshments will be provided following a short presentation by County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal.
WHO: El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal
WHAT: Grand Opening of new office in Ysleta
WHEN: Friday June 4, 2010 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: El Paso County Ysleta Annex
9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3
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Ysleta Annex Press Advisory.pdf