For Immediate Release

Aug. 28, 2019

More than four dozen individuals took advantage last week of a special Amnesty Day in Jackson County Prosecutor’s Family Support Division, re-engaging to help support their children, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

As part of their re-engagement, more than $3,000 in payments for their children were recovered.

Prior to Amnesty Day last Friday, Aug. 23, the office’s Family Support Division mailed letters to nearly 450 individuals who had failed to comply with court orders, including failing to appear at appointed court hearings. About two dozen individuals updated the unit with new information, such as moving out of state or being incarcerated and unable to make upcoming court dockets.

Family Support offered to set aside a warrant if they made a $50 payment and sat down and talked with a prosecutor. A new court date was also set.

On Friday, 44 individuals with 54 outstanding cases took advantage of Amnesty Day. Some updated their situations, some requested new payment plans, some pledged payments and others made back payments.

Melissa Mauer-Smith, director of the Family Support Division, said she hopes many of these clients who have re-engaged with the office will continue to make their child support payments.

This Amnesty Day was successful enough that Family Support is already making plans for another Amnesty Day in 2020.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com