Augusta County Circuit Court, Virginia Filing Fees and Waivers

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant unable to pay costs in full must elect an installment, deferred-payment, or approved community-service plan within the applicable 30-day period; community service cannot satisfy restitution.

If a defendant is unable to pay the Costs in full within 30 days of conviction (or other disposition of the case authorized by law), or if a defendant is incarcerated, within 30 days after the defendant's release from incarceration, the defendant must elect one of the following plans: - a) to pay the Costs in periodic payments (an Installment Payment Agreement); or - b) to pay the Costs in full by a date certain, either as a lump sum or in conjunction with the defendant's best efforts to make monthly or periodic payments (a Deferred Payment Agreement); or - c) to pay the Costs through the performance of community service as established and outlined by this Courts Community Service Program. Restitution owed cannot be paid by performing community service. Community service must be approved by the Judge.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A defendant who does not pay in full or establish an approved payment option during the prescribed period is assessed a one-time collection fee of 17% of the unpaid Costs balance.

If a defendant fails to either (a) pay the Costs in full or (b) set up an Installment Payment Agreement, a Deferred Payment Agreement or be approved for the Community Service Program Option during the prescribed period, a one-time collection fee in the amount of 17% of the balance of the Costs will be assessed pursuant to Appropriations Act 2013.

CRITICALCriminal cases

A Court shall consider a request by a defendant who has defaulted on an Installment Payment Agreement to enter into a subsequent payment agreement. In determining whether to approve the request the Court shall consider any change in the defendant's circumstances. A down payment to enter into a subsequent payment agreement shall be required. The down payment shall not exceed 10% of the Costs if the total is $500 or less. If the Costs owed are more than $500, five percent of such amount or $50.00, whichever is greater, shall be required.

A Court shall consider a request by a defendant who has defaulted on an Installment Payment Agreement to enter into a subsequent payment agreement. In determining whether to approve the request the Court shall consider any change in the defendant's circumstances. A down payment to enter into a subsequent payment agreement shall be required. The down payment shall not exceed 10% of the Costs if the total is $500 or less. If the Costs owed are more than $500, five percent of such amount or $50.00, whichever is greater, shall be required.

WARNINGCriminal cases

A payment due date that falls on a weekend or holiday moves to the next business day.

If payment due dates fall on weekends or holidays the payment will be due the next business day.

WARNINGCriminal cases

A defendant whose only financial resource is Social Security or SSI need not pay court costs until another resource or income becomes available.

If a defendant's sole financial resource is a Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income, payment of court costs is not required until the defendant has another financial resource or income.

WARNINGCriminal cases

The initial recommended installment is $50 per month, but the Court must assess the defendant’s finances and set reasonable payment terms; it may require a DMV summary of other court debts.

The initial recommended monthly payment for any Installment Payment Agreement is $50.00 per month. However, the Court shall consider the defendant's financial resources and obligations and any Costs which the defendant owes in other Courts. In assessing the defendant's ability to pay, the Court shall use a written financial statement form provided by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, setting forth the defendant's financial resources and obligations or conduct an oral examination to determine the defendants' financial resources and obligations. The Court may require the defendant to present a summary prepared by the Department of Motor Vehicles of the other courts in which the defendant also owes fines and costs. The length of a payment agreement and the amount of the payments shall be reasonable in light of the defendant's financial resources and obligations and shall not be based solely on the amount of fines and costs.

WARNINGCriminal cases

Any payment received within ten (10) days of its due date shall be considered on time.

Any payment received within ten (10) days of its due date shall be considered on time.

INFOCriminal cases

No down payment is required for an initial payment agreement.

No down payment is required to enter into an initial payment agreement.

INFOCriminal cases

Payments may be made in person by check, cash, money order, or credit card; they may also be mailed or made online by credit card.

The Court accepts payments by check, cash, money order or credit cards in person. Payments can be mailed to: Augusta County Circuit Court, P.O. Box 689, Staunton, VA 24402-0689, or payments can be made using a credit card by going online to the following website: http://www.vacourts.gov.