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Fines and Restitution Program

As a result of the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act of 1996, all payments for special assessment, fines and restitution are receipted by the U.S. District Court clerk's office. The applicable interest rates, penalties, etc. are based on the offense date and the applicable statute in effect. Payments should be mailed to the U.S. District Court where you were sentenced, or presented in person to the cashier at the District Court Clerk's Office. Checks should be payable to Clerk, U.S. District Court.

The court accepts payment by cash, certified cashier or bank check, money order, or credit card.  Payment may be made at the clerk's office counter, over the telephone, or by mail. Credit card payments made by mail should be accompanied by a Credit Card Payment Information Form.  In addition, payment may be paid online via Pay.gov.  Pay.gov is a secure Government website that allows individuals to submit payments for federal debt(s) electronically.  Pay.gov is managed by the Department of Treasury, Financial Management Services.  Pay.gov affords individuals the ability to make payments on-line anytime and anywhere with Internet access.  The pay.gov site is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for users to submit payments.  In order to utilize Pay.gov, please follow these steps:
 
1.  Obtain your Court and Defendant Number (CCAM Number) from your Debtor Statement or contact the Clerk of U.S. District Court staff. 
2.  Obtain a Transaction ID by calling the U.S. Probation Office at (603) 225-1515 and ask for the duty officer.  The Transaction ID issued to you will be valid for all future transactions.  Note your Transaction ID number for future payments. 
3. Log onto the Internet and type  https://www.pay.gov into your browser location bar and hit “enter” to access the Pay.gov web page.
4. From the home page, go to Find An Agency; Click on the letter U; Click on United States District Court Criminal Debt; and then scroll down to  NHD Criminal Debt Payment.  Follow the screen instructions to Register for an account to make recurring payments or to make a one-time payment; Select Continue to Form. 
5. Fill in your name, case number, address, payment amount and Transaction ID.  Click the Continue button. 
6. Complete the payment information screen.  Click the Next button. 
7. Fill in the payment method details screen.  Click Review and Submit Payment.
8. Review the payment and account information.  Check the box to authorize the transaction.  You can also check the box to receive an email confirmation.  Click Submit Payment.

Special assessment, fine and restitution when imposed are ordered on the J & C (Judgment in a criminal case) at sentencing. All monetary penalties are recorded by the clerk's office as documented in the J & C. Special assessment is usually $100 per count and payment is due immediately to the court. Fine and restitution is also generally due immediately, however, the judge often allows monthly payments when large amounts are involved. The fine and/or restitution is due based on the applicable statute and interest is accrued even if a payment schedule has been established once the interest start date has passed. Adherence to a payment schedule stops the imposition of the applicable penalties, delinquency and default provisions. 

 

Application of Payments

Generally, payments are applied to outstanding debts in the following order: 1) special assessment; 2) non-federal restitution; 3) federal restitution; and 4) fine. Within each category, payments are applied in the order of principal, costs, interest and penalties.

Interest assessed is computed using the simple interest method. Interest is generally not compounded. You may contact the U.S. District Court Clerk's Office - Financial Unit at 603-225-1423 to inquire on the status of the payments in a particular case. The U.S. Attorney's office also sends statement with payment coupons to the defendants on a monthly basis.

The U.S. Attorney is responsible for collection and enforcement of special assessments, fine and restitution ordered by the court. The Financial Litigation Unit of the U.S. Attorney's office monitors the status of payments and will take action as appropriate. You may contact the unit at 603-225-1423.

Restitution Payments to Victims

Victims are generally contacted by the U.S. Attorney's office after sentencing and informed of any restitution that has been ordered. They are advised on the process and what they should expect to receive. All moneys received from the defendant for restitution are paid to the victim(s) according to the J & C. There is a standard waiting period of at least two weeks to assure that all payments have cleared through the Federal Reserve before the payment to the victims are processed. Payments are normally paid proportionally to each victim unless specified in the J & C. Restitution payments are made once a month, sometime during the last week of the month.

Case by Case Situations

The information presented on this Fines and Restitution Payments is general information that applies to all cases. However, deviations may be allowed on a case by case basis. The judge may specify additional requirements or waive certain items if warranted in a particular case. You may wish to verify detailed information regarding your case with the court.