The Cass County Friend of the Court office will offer a unique way for parents behind on child support payments to help support their children — while avoiding possible jail time.

The court staff is organizing a special Amnesty Day event, which takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Cass District Library in Cassopolis. During the event, county residents who currently have a bench warrant out for their arrest for falling behind on payments can pay off a certain amount (either $500 or 7 percent, whichever number is greater) from their arrearage and have their warrant recalled.

While similar offers have been made in other counties, this is the first time such an experiment has been offered in Cass County. Employees with the Friend of the Court office said they are trying this approach in order to encourage people who, due to their warrant, are afraid to make payments at the courthouse, to resume supporting their child.

With between 150 to 200 county residents not making support payments to children at any given time, Friend of the Court staff feel this is a large issue that needs addressing — something we can agree with.

It is understandable that, given the volatile nature of today’s economy, parents making child support payments can sometimes fall behind on what they owe, be it due to unemployment or other issues. However, care for one’s child must always be a priority, even in cases where a parent lacks custodial rights.

It is for that reason that child support is such an essential responsibility for our courts to oversee — and why, as difficult as the situation may be, bench warrants are needed measures to ensure that parents behind on payments receive the message that neglecting their child’s needs is unacceptable.

At the same time, simply throwing an arrest warrant at someone and expecting a fast resolution often isn’t an ideal method of resolving the issue, either.

For that reason, attempts at outreach such as Amnesty Day appear to be a smart strategy. It not only encourages people who have other isolated themselves from the courts to reopen lines of communication, but also ensures that children who were other ignored once again receive the support they are owed.

As the Friend of the Court staff said, it is a win-win scenario.

We support the Amnesty Day initiative by the court, and hope it is a success for them, local parents and children.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.