Opinion No.

Honorable Mike Driscoll Harris County Attorney 1001 Preston, Suite 634 Houston, Texas 77002

Re: Whether a justice of the peace may accept personal checks in payment of fines, costs and/or judgments

Dear Mr. Driscoll:

You ask several questions about the responsibilities of a justice of the peace in connection with the collection of fines, costs, and judgments.

A justice of the peace has authority to collect money payable under the Code of Criminal Procedure. Code Crim.Proc. art. 103.003. The code provides that all fines and other undertakings whereby a party becomes bound to pay the state "shall…