12 year old warrant?

[jhoptowit]

My Fiancé received an odd notification in the mail today stating that the state of Texas will be actively seeking her by warrant of arrest- we currently live in Washington state. The original charge was curfew violation from 1999 when she was 13, and she was ordered community service (which she completed), and restitution in the amount of $30.00. She moved to Washington state in 2000 (1 year after the hearing). According to the municipal courts of Waco texas, these fines were never paid, and they are demanding the fines be paid by March 5, 2011 in full or the warrant will be active and arrest will be pursued. Also, they noted that the warrant has been pending this entire time (12 years) and will be flagged as active on march 5th. The fines have now reached $216.00 due to interest fees and court/warrant fees. My question is can she really be held liable to pay for a fee at age 13, and not her parents? Is there anything she or I can do? This seems rather frivolous. The municipal courts were of no help and even sarcastically mentioned to "get your parents to pay for it then." Any replies would be appreciated.

 

[Antigone*]

My Fiancé received an odd notification in the mail today stating that the state of Texas will be actively seeking her by warrant of arrest- we currently live in Washington state. The original charge was curfew violation from 1999 when she was 13, and she was ordered community service (which she completed), and restitution in the amount of $30.00. She moved to Washington state in 2000 (1 year after the hearing). According to the municipal courts of Waco texas, these fines were never paid, and they are demanding the fines be paid by March 5, 2011 in full or the warrant will be active and arrest will be pursued. Also, they noted that the warrant has been pending this entire time (12 years) and will be flagged as active on march 5th. The fines have now reached $216.00 due to interest fees and court/warrant fees. My question is can she really be held liable to pay for a fee at age 13, and not her parents? Is there anything she or I can do? This seems rather frivolous. The municipal courts were of no help and even sarcastically mentioned to "get your parents to pay for it then." Any replies would be appreciated.

It might seem frivilous to you but obviously it is not to the court. If she doesn't feel the moral and legal obligation to pay her own warrant, then she can certainly have a chat with mommy and daddy about how they screwed up and didn't pay the fine she incurred when she broke the law.

Oh, just so you know ~ My daughter would have paid her own debt, even at 13.

 

[Isis1]

She did the crime. It needs to be paid. Either she pays it, cleans her record and moves on with her life, or she can pay it, sue her parents for it (she probably won't win) OR, she can leave as is and wait til she gets arrested and jailed.

 

[jhoptowit]

These are certainly valid points. I'm just in shock I suppose because to me a curfew violation doesn't seem that large a charge relative to crimes being commited as a whole (although it makes sense that law doesn't think this way). She remembers nothing about it, nor even showing up for court- and without the case information I'm at a loss for what to do (aside from paying the fine and getting on with life as previously pointed out). I even paid for background/criminal records to try to get more information on the original charges an hearing information- but nothing shows up (not sure why). I just wasn't sure if there were statute of limitations that would free her of having to pay these fines herself or be solely responsible for them.

 

[mistoffolees]

These are certainly valid points. I'm just in shock I suppose because to me a curfew violation doesn't seem that large a charge relative to crimes being commited as a whole (although it makes sense that law doesn't think this way).

It isn't that big a deal - which is why she was ordered to pay only $30. If it was a big deal, the penalty probably would have been much higher.

The other thing to consider is that to even consult with an attorney, she'll pay more than the $216. Just pay the fine and be done with it.

 

[stealth2]

That this is even causing either of you so much angst says only one thing - neither of you are ready to even attempt marriage.

 

[jhoptowit]

There is no angst. I was aware that she had a run-in with curfew and we laughed about it (while we were getting to know each other). It was a shock, certainly, that she was served with a warrant over it. I claim no knowledge of law practice which is why I came here to see if perhaps there could have been an error (as 12 years have passed). I was mistaken obviously. While no one likes dishing out any sum of money, we are lucky that we are being given a chance to do so without any serious repercussion- and we will do just that. I appreciate the responses.

 

[Ohiogal]

There is no angst. I was aware that she had a run-in with curfew and we laughed about it (while we were getting to know each other). It was a shock, certainly, that she was served with a warrant over it. I claim no knowledge of law practice which is why I came here to see if perhaps there could have been an error (as 12 years have passed). I was mistaken obviously. While no one likes dishing out any sum of money, we are lucky that we are being given a chance to do so without any serious repercussion- and we will do just that. I appreciate the responses.

She was NOT served a warrant over the curfew violation. She has a warrant because she skipped before completing her punishment (i.e. paying the fine). And it wouldn't turn up on a background check because it is JUVENILE court and the juvenile court itself would have to be contacted and the records requested directly by the party (her, not you).