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To the editor:
In the April 3 edition of the Herald-Star, an editorial was published, "License suspensions need a closer look." The gist of the opinion was that when the courts block an individual's ability to renew or obtain a driver's license for nonpayment of fines and costs that it adversely effects an offender's ability to seek and maintain employment and that it disproportionately effects the "poor" and "people of color."
Before courts impose fines and costs, an ability to pay analysis is conducted to determine the economic resources of the offender. Realistic monthly payment plans are established, and so long as offenders adhere to these payment plans, no adverse action is taken against them. If an offender falls off track or there is a change in their financial circumstances, they are afforded the opportunity to work off unpaid fines and costs through community service. If an offender fails to adhere to their payment plan or do court-ordered community service, it is at that point that the unpaid balance is referred to collection and blocks are placed against the offender's driver's license and vehicle registration, preventing them from obtaining or renewing a driver's license and registering or transferring a motor vehicle until paid in full.
If the offender continues to ignore their financial obligations, the unpaid money is ultimately forwarded to the Ohio attorney general, who has the ability to take the unpaid money from an offender's state income tax refund.
This is the practice of Steubenville Municipal Court and many other courts in Ohio.
Driver's license and vehicle registration blocks are only put into place in circumstances where an offender completely disregards the orders of the court, and these have proven to be very effective collection tools.
There are many "people of color" and "poor" who are fully compliant with the orders of the court. In the state of Ohio, driving is considered to be a privilege and not a right.
There is an increasing attitude that the "poor" and "people of color" should not be held accountable, which is an insult to those who comply with the law, including the law-abiding "poor" and "people of color." For these reasons, I respectfully disagree.
Judge John J. Mascio
Steubenville Municipal
Court