By Dan Turner
Clark County Prosecutor

Thanks to a new law which allows for the interception of federal payments, the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has received over $30,000 from incarcerated offenders which will be applied to past-due fines and restitution owed to local victims.

Under Act 1110 of 2021, the state can intercept stimulus funds that were issued to persons who have been convicted of criminal offenses who have outstanding balances for criminal fines or restitution.

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Prosecuting Attorney Dan Turner said his office had been diligent in using this new law to collect money that is owed to local crime victims and to Clark County. “I am pleased that we have been able to use this new law to secure funds to apply toward past-due fines and restitution owed by persons who have been convicted of crimes in this jurisdiction.”

The Act allows prosecutors to notify the Arkansas Department of Corrections of inmates who have outstanding costs of fines owed to local governments. Then, if the inmate was eligible for any payment under a federal stimulus program, that payment can be intercepted to apply toward any delinquent fines, fees, costs, or restitution owed by that offender. By taking advantage of this procedure, the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has now recovered thousands of dollars that will be applied toward outstanding restitution and fines.