Garland, Texas – December 11, 2009 – Dallas County has launched a new collection tool that impacts those who have failed to pay fines owed to a city or county.  The City of Garland is the pilot city for this new program.  The county implemented this collection tool for county fines and fees in February 2009 and has been pleased with its success.
 
Texas law allows counties and cities to block vehicle registration for those who owe fines for traffic tickets and other citations.  Dallas County is coordinating implementation of this program and selected Garland to be its first participating city.  Garland was chosen because its Municipal Court is a court of record with a proven history of successfully implementing new and innovative programs.
 
The program will apply to all traffic violations and red light camera violations. Any fine that is more than 60 days past due will be flagged and forwarded to Dallas County.  When the vehicle owner attempts to renew registration for that vehicle with the Dallas County Tax office, registration will be blocked until the owner pays the outstanding fines, and obtains a release form from the City of Garland.
 
The purpose behind this program is to create compliance with the laws that help create a safe, attractive environment for all our citizens.  For more information about the Dallas County Scofflaw program, call the Dallas County Tax Office Customer Care Center at 214-653-7811 or visit www.dallascounty.org.