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1. How do I find out how much I owe in fines, court costs, and restitution?

Fines, costs, and restitution information can be located online through the Court of Common Pleas System (CPCMS).

Please follow these instructions once you have clicked the link above.

1. Click E-Services
   
2. Select and click Public Web Docket Sheets
   
3. Click on Common Pleas
   
4. Click on Other Criteria
   
5. Enter Last Name
   
6. Enter First Name
   
7. Select Lancaster County
   
8. Select Criminal for the docket type
   
9. Click Search
   
10. Select appropriate case from the results of the Search. Then scroll through the pages until you reach the financial information.

If at any time you are having trouble accessing this data, feel free to contact APPS / Collections Enforcement Unit at 717-824-8539 for balance information, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2. Why do I have to pay fines, court costs, and restitution?

These amounts are ordered by the Court at time of sentencing, thereby requiring the defendant to pay these amounts in full. Clients are required to enter into a monthly payment plan. Payments must be made consistently and completely to insure compliance.

3. How do I make payments on my balance?

There are several different methods to make payments on your fines, court costs, and restitution.

Payments may be made in person in the office in the form of cash, money order, Mastercard/Visa, personal check, or cashier’s check. Mastercard/Visa payments made at the office require valid ID of the cardholder and a 3% surcharge applies to each payment. There is a $25 minimum for any credit card payment. 

We are open from 8:30am -5:00pm Monday through Friday. If you are unable to get there prior to 5:00pm, you are invited to drop off your payment in our secure drop box located at the front of the building. Please make sure it contains your name, docket # or social security # prior to placing it in the drop box. We are located at:

APPS/ Collections Enforcement Unit 40 East King St. Lancaster, Pa 17603

Payments may also be mailed. They should include your name, docket # or social security number. They should be mailed to: Bureau of Collection P.O. Box 83480 Lancaster, Pa 17608

Payment may also be made online at the Court of Common Pleas System. Please review the directions for e-payments.

We do not accept payments over the telephone.

If you have any questions please call our office at 717-824-8539.

4. When should I begin to make payments?

Payments should begin immediately after sentencing. Defendants are encouraged to remit additional monies above and beyond their payment plan.

5. What will happen if I do not make payments as directed?

Probation officers in the Collection Enforcement Unit will monitor the case for compliance. Failure to comply with your payment plan may result in contempt of court and the following sanctions may apply: violation of probation / parole, suspension of driver’s license, reported to the credit bureau, reported to a collections agency resulting in a 25% increase in your balance, issuance of a bench warrant, and incarceration.

6. If I am in jail, what happens to the payment plan?

The payment plan will remain in effect and it will be expected that the client will resume payments upon release.

7. What if I move or change employment?

Upon receiving verification from the assigned probation/ parole officer that this may occur, the client must report these changes within 72 hours to the Collections Enforcement Unit.

8. If I am unable to comply with my payment plan due to medical reasons, what should I do?

It is the clients responsibility to inform the Collections Enforcement Unit if they are unable to comply with their payment plan due to medical reasons. The client must provide medical verification from their physician which details the reason, duration and any work restrictions that pertain to a client’s ability to be gainfully employed.

9. What is an Administrative fee?

Pursuant to 42 PA. C.S.A. 9728 (g), the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County instituted a $15 per month administrative fee effective 1/1/04. This is a mandatory fee that is imposed on all clients who have been on active supervision since 1/1/04. Effective 1/1/11, this fee was increased by Order of Court to $22.50 per month. This increase will only affect clients who have received or will receive a new probation/parole sentence after 1/1/11. Effective 1/1/2016 this fee was increased by Order of Court to $30.00 per month for those clients sentenced after this date. This fee will cease upon a client’s successful completion of probation / parole.

10. What is a Supervision fee?

Pursuant to Act 35 of 1991, clients will be charged a $25 per month supervision fee. This fee is charged to all clients who are on active supervision. Supervision fees are charged based on the guidelines set forth in Act 35 of 1991.

11. If I am ordered to receive court ordered restitution but have not been receiving it, who do I contact?

Questions regarding the enforcement of restitution should be directed to the Collections Enforcement Unit at 717-824-8539.

12. What if I bounce a check for my fines, court costs restitution?

Upon receiving information from the financial institution that the check will not be honored, the check writer will receive a notice from the Collections Enforcement Unit. This notice will advise the check writer that the account for which they were trying to pay on will be assessed a $35 returned check fee. The check writer will have ten days to make the check good, including payment of the returned check fee. Future personal checks will not be honored on the account. Individuals who fail to comply with the notice will be referred to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office for criminal prosecution.

13. What is a Judgment?

Pursuant to 42 PA. C.S.A. 9728 (b), all defendants who have been convicted at the Court of Common Pleas level and subsequently owe more than a $1,000 in fines, costs, or restitution, will receive a civil judgment. The Clerk of Courts Office is required to file a civil judgment upon the defendant. This is filed in the Lancaster County Prothontary’s Office. Judgments must be filed regardless if there is a payment plan or if payments are being received. Judgments may only be satisfied upon payment in full. For further information, please contact the Collections Enforcement Unit at 717-824-8539.

14. How do I get detailed copies of all my case balances or payments made to date?

Detailed reports may be requested in person at the Collections Enforcement Unit. A $0.25 per page copy fee must be paid at the time of the request.