Note to the applicant: The Criminal Justice Debt Programs provides criminal justice-related debt relief to low-income community members who are taking steps to successfully reintegrate into the community but whose ability to do so is hampered by debt from court fees and costs.
An advisory committee reviews applications monthly. You will be notified by email once the committee has made a decision on your application. Please note that all information submitted in this application becomes a public record.
In order to be considered eligible for relief, applicants:
- Must live within Orange County, North Carolina
- Must meet court indigency standards
- Cannot be currently incarcerated
- Must have outstanding criminal justice or traffic fees or costs
- Must demonstrate that he or she is on the road to stability
- Must have already pursued other avenues for debt relief (e.g., driver’s license restoration program)
- Must demonstrate that assistance will have an immediate impact on his or her stability or successful reentry into the community
Relief will be considered for post-conviction court fees and costs, deferred prosecution court fees and costs, and NCDMV license restoration fees. Fines and restitution payments imposed as part of sentencing are not eligible for payment through the program.
If you have any questions about the application or program requirements, please contact us at debtprogram@townofchapelhill.org. Resident of Carrboro may contact the Carrboro Program Administer at 919-918-7397. All other residents should contact the 919-968-2806.