Q&A
Process of collecting fines from illegal cannabis shops
0:37:01
·
93 sec
Council Member Brewer inquires about the status of fine collection from illegal cannabis shops. Sheriff Miranda explains the complex process and timeline for fines becoming judgments and the role of different agencies in the collection process.
- Fines only become enforceable by the Sheriff's Office once they become judgments
- The process can take a minimum of 120 days, with potential for extensions and adjournments
- Other city agencies, including OATH, handle the initial collection process before it reaches the Sheriff's Office
Gale A. Brewer
0:37:01
Okay.
0:37:03
A city hall person told the post on Sunday that many fines have been collected yet Because a city doesn't have the authority to do so, but we're hoping to start the collection process very soon.
0:37:15
What does that mean?
0:37:16
Now I know what you stated in your excellent testimony is that the fines don't really kick in until some time forward.
0:37:26
And that this is not a revenue enhancement process.
0:37:29
It's mostly to close and deal with quality of life.
0:37:32
But if people break the law to me, they need to pay their fines.
0:37:36
So what is the status?
0:37:39
With collection process as you understand it.
Anthony Miranda
0:37:43
As I said in the testimony before it becomes judgment, when when these fines become judgment, then it becomes comes back to the sheriff's office for enforcement.
0:37:51
But outside of that, it's not in the sheriff's office.
0:37:54
The ultimate old hearing offices and the other city agencies deal with the collection process.
0:38:00
It does take a minimum of a 120 days.
0:38:02
I think it can take longer.
0:38:03
Based on the adjournments that that are potential adjournments that can be requested.
0:38:08
Some of these time periods go for 90 days.
0:38:10
And if they went let's say they went to an entire 120 day process and somewhere just before the 120 days, they file for an extension or responded and requested a hearing, then there's a new clock would start, and then it start all over again.
0:38:23
So I think there's a a lot of nuances in terms of how it gets to actual judgment before we can collect on it, but that also the process before that before judgment doesn't fall to the sheriff's office.
