LFO Petition and Order

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Privacy Policy* This field is required.Please click the link below to read and agree to our privacy policy before continuing.
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Welcome!

Our Justice in Motion WebApp will ask you some questions to fill out the mandatory court forms* you need to make request a waiver and/or reduction of your legal financial obligations (or LFOs) to the superior court.

Please choose one superior court case or cause number to work on.

If you have more than one case, you will need to complete a session in the WebApp for each one.

If you have multiple cases across multiple counties, consider starting with the one with the most LFOs.

If you want help, just let us know! Email or call us at: info@livingwithconviction.org or 206.307.3028

The WebApp is not (yet) intended for district or municipal courts.

*The forms used in this app are mandated by the Washington State Supreme Court, General Rule 39, published on August 1, 2024.

Let's get started!
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The WebApp does not give legal advice. It generates filled-out court forms based on your answers to the questions. Reliance on the WebApp does not create an attorney-client relationship or otherwise constitute legal representation of any kind. The law is constantly changing. We make every effort to keep the WebApp up to date, but the applicable steps, rules, or laws may have changed since it was last updated.* This field is required.*At the end of this WebApp, you will be asked to sign the forms. When you sign, you are declaring “under penalty of perjury” that your answers are true and correct to the best of your knowledge. That means if you knowingly provide any false information, you are committing a crime. This WebApp uses the mandatory forms for LFO requests for reductions under Washington State General Rule 39.
I understand and agree.
I do not understand or agree.
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We're sorry! Because you clicked that you do not understand or do not agree to the terms of using the WebApp, you are not able to continue to use it at this time.

Email your questions to info@livingwithconviction.org.

If this was a mistake, please click the "Previous" button and choose "I understand and agree." Otherwise, your session is complete.
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Below is a list of terms to help you understand the different possible requests your forms will make based on the information you provide.

LFOs: The costs, fees, fines, and victim restitution that courts impose on defendants at the time of criminal sentencing, including any accrued interest.

Petition: The legal document that you fill in to ask a court to make a decision in your case. This document is also referred to as a "Motion." The court’s decision about your case will be recorded in the legal document called the “Order.” This WebApp generates both the Petition and a proposed Order, filled out according to your answers. You need to submit both forms to get the court to make a decision in your case.

Restitution: An LFO that is intended to pay the crime victim back. The law treats it differently than other LFOs. Courts may reduce restitution only under certain circumstances. If you owe restitution, this app will ask you questions to figure out if you are eligible to make any of those requests to the court.

Non-Restitution Interest: EVERYONE with LFO interest that is not restitution interest has a right to a waiver of that interest, upon filing a petition. But if you were convicted on, or after, June 7, 2018 you have no interest on these LFOs.

Restitution Interest: Restitution continues to accrue 12% interest until it is paid in full. If asked, courts may adjust your payment plan. You can ask the court to waive the restitution interest that accrued while you were incarcerated once you get out. Once you pay restitution in full, you can ask the court to waive the accrued restitution interest.

Other LFOs: If paying your LFOs is a "manifest hardship" for you and your family, you may request a reduction of LFOs, to the full extent of the law.

Community restitution: Community restitution is when a court converts non-restitution LFOs into hours of community service at no less than minimum wage, or $16.28 per hour. Community restitution is only available in counties with an established community restitution program.

Private collection agency: Some counties hire private collection agencies to collect LFOs. These collection agencies add their own fees. The law gives courts the authority to bring cases back from collection agencies to decide petitions to reduce those LFOs.
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Before you use this WebApp, please have the following documents or information for the superior court case that you want to work on:

Case Number/Cause Number* (REQUIRED)

Judgment and Sentence* (J&S) (OPTIONAL, unless you are no longer serving time on this case and it has been ten or more years since you were released on this case. Then you need the J&S to find the "date of offense," typically listed on page one to the right of the counts (offenses) for which you were sentenced.)

LFO Accounting Summary (also known as "case financial history") (OPTIONAL)

If restitution was ordered,

Restitution Order* (REQUIRED if ordered on this case and not included in the J&S, which is common)

If you are no longer in 24-hour custody, you must know the date of conviction and release from prison for this case. To find out these dates, call DOC Headquarters: (360) 725-8213 or DOCCorrespondenceUnit@doc.wa.gov

Whether the case was appealed.*

*You need to have either the required case documents in hand or access to the relevant court database.

Case Number: Also called a “cause number.” This is the hyphenated number at the top right of the front page of your Judgment and Sentence (and all court documents that are related to that particular case).

Judgment and Sentence (J&S): The document signed by a judge at sentencing that includes a section about how much in LFOs the court ordered you to pay. The date of sentencing can be found in the last few pages, next to the judge’s signature. The case/cause number is in the upper right corner of the first page.

LFO Accounting Summary: The LFO Accounting Summary (also called “case financial history”) shows the LFOs that were ordered at sentencing (including restitution and other LFOs); how much you have paid; how much interest has been added to restitution and other LFOs; and how much you still owe. You can request a copy of the LFO Accounting Summary from the clerk’s office in the county of the conviction.

Restitution Order: Restitution Order (also called "Order Setting Restitution") shows the amount of restitution that was ordered and to whom it is owed, either at sentencing, or at a later restitution hearing. You will be asked in this app if restitution was ordered. You can request a copy of your J&S or Order Setting Restitution from the clerk's office in the county of conviction, if applicable. If you have any questions about this, you can call our team at (206) 307-3028; or email us at info@livingwithconviction.org
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Who is using this Web App?* This field is required.
Me; I am filling this out on my own case
A service provider
A person with power of attorney
A Living with Conviction Navigator
A pro bono attorney
Other
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If you are filling out this form for yourself or if you have the power of attorney (POA), put in today's date.If you are not the person who owes LFOs (or their POA), leave blank.
Date
Month
Day
Year
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Section 1: Information about Your Case

The following questions request information about you to include on the court forms.
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What is your name, as listed on the Judgment and Sentence?* This field is required.Please do NOT include your DOC number.
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Is your current legal name different than what is listed on your J&S?* This field is required.
YESNO
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If your legal name is different than what is listed on the J&S, please type it here in the following format:
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What is your date of birth?* This field is required.
Date
Month
Day
Year
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In which county is this case?* This field is required.Please select from the dropdown list below
Adams
Asotin
Benton
Chelan
Clallam
Clark
Columbia
Cowlitz
Douglas
Ferry
Franklin
Garfield
Grant
Grays Harbor
Island
Jefferson
King
Kitsap
Kittitas
Klickitat
Lewis
Lincoln
Mason
Okanogan
Pacific
Pend Orielle
Pierce
San Juan
Skagit
Skamania
Snohomish
Spokane
Stevens
Thurston
Wahkiakum
Walla Walla
Whatcom
Whitman
Yakima
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For which court is this petition?* This field is required.Select from drop down menu.
Superior
District
Municipal
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We're sorry. This WebApp currently only supports petitions for superior court in the state of Washington. Please email us at info@livingwithconviction.org if you'd like us to notify you when the WebApp can also be used for district and municipal courts.
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What is the case/cause number?* This field is required.Case Number (also called a “cause number”). This is the hyphenated number at the top right of the front page of your Judgment and Sentence (and all court documents that are related to that particular case).
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What is the name of the government entity that brought this case to court?* This field is required.It is listed on your J&S. For superior court cases, it will be the “State of Washington"
State of Washington
Other
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We're sorry. This WebApp currently only supports petitions for superior court in the state of Washington. Please email us at info@livingwithconviction.org if you'd like us to notify you when the WebApp can also be used for district and municipal courts.
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Were your unpaid LFOs sent to a private collection agency?* This field is required.
Yes
No
I don't know
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OK. The petition will request that the court remove your unpaid LFOs from collections and waive all collection fees.
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Section 2: Jurisdiction Questions

The following questions focus on whether the court still has authority to collect your remaining LFOs.
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Are you still in "total confinement" on this case, meaning are you still in 24-hour custody of the state on this case?* This field is required.If you are in work release, that is considered only "partial confinement," so you would answer "no" to this question.
Yes
No
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Which of the statements below is most accurate for this case?Total confinement means being held in 24-hour custody.
To the best of my knowledge, more than 10 years have passed since I was released from jail or prison on this case.
To the best of my knowledge, more than 10 years have passed since I was convicted (entry of my judgment and sentence) on this case and I did not receive a jail or prison sentence.
To the best of my knowledge, fewer than 10 years have passed since I was released from jail or prison.
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To the best of your knowledge, was the date of this offense before July 1, 2000?This date is in your Judgment and Sentence, typically on page one to the right of each count (offense) of which you were sentenced.
Yes
No
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Was this conviction for Rape of a Child in the First, Second or Third Degree?
Yes
No
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If it has been more than 25 years since the date of your conviction or release from total confinement, whichever is later, you may want to consult an attorney to find out if the court still has authority to collect restitution. RCW 9.94A.750(6) and RCW9.94A.753(6).
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Section 3: Reduce or Waive LFOs

The following questions focus on your eligibility to reduce or waive your LFOs.
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Were you sentenced on or before June 7, 2018?* This field is required.If yes, you have non-restitution interest on your case. If no, you do not have any non-restitution interest.
Yes
No
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OK. You have a right to a waiver of the non-restitution interest on this case, as long as your court forms are properly filled out. Your petition will ask for that waiver. You can find out how much should be waived by looking at your case financial history/LFO accounting summary, which is available from the county clerk's office.
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Section 4: Declaration of Ability or Inability to Pay

The following questions figure out whether you have had enough money to pay all your LFOs, including whether you may be indigent for purposes of LFO reduction.
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Do you have the money to pay your LFOs, but are choosing not to pay?* This field is required.The rest of the questions in this section will support your answer.
Yes
No
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Do you currently receive any of the following public benefits?* This field is required.Please select all that apply.
Food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically (EBT)
Medicaid (for example, Apple Health)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Aged, Blind, or Disabled assistance benefits (ABD)
Pregnant women's assistance benefits
Poverty-related veterans' benefits
Refugee resettlement benefits
Medical care services under RCW 74.09.035
I receive none of these
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Are you currently experiencing homelessness?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Do you have an acute, chronic, or serious mental illness? If so, which of these legal standards apply to you, if any?If you do not have an acute, chronic, or serious mental illness, please check the "None of the above" box.
Acute mental illness refers to a mental disorder as defined in RCW 71.05.020; being gravely disabled as defined in RCW 71.05.020; or presenting a likelihood of serious harm as defined in RCW 71.05.020.
Chronic mental illness refers to a mental disorder and meets at least one of the following criteria: (a) Has undergone two or more episodes of hospital care for a mental disorder within the preceding two years; or (b) Has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment exceeding six months' duration within the preceding year; or (c) Has been unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any mental disorder which has lasted for a continuous period of not less than twelve months. RCW 71.24.025 (13)
Serious mental illness refers to a "seriously disabled person who is gravely disabled person or presents a likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself or others, or to the property of others, as a result of a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW;(b) Has been on conditional release status, or under a less restrictive alternative order, at some time during the preceding two years from an evaluation and treatment facility or a state mental health hospital;(c) Has a mental disorder which causes major impairment in several areas of daily living;(d) Exhibits suicidal preoccupation or attempts." RCW 71.24.025 (48)
None of the above
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Is your income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level for your size of household, after taxes?* This field is required.1 person $18,825 2 people $25,550 3 people $32,275 4 people $39,000 5 people $45,725 6 people $52,450 7 people $59,175 8 people $65,900 (See https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines)
Yes
No
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Although your income is above 125% of the federal poverty line, are your recurring basic living expenses greater than your income, making you unable to pay your LFOs?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Please briefly describe your recurring basic living expenses, including for housing, food, utilities, health care, transportation, clothing, loan payments, support payments, and court-imposed obligations.
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OK. Are there other compelling circumstances that explain your inability to pay your LFOs?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Briefly describe the other compelling circumstances that explain your inability to pay your LFOs.Examples: "I am a single mom of four children working two minimum-wage jobs." "I have been laid off from my job since the pandemic." "I am experiencing homelessness and have no income"
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Then your non-payment was "willful," and you are not eligible to request a reduction of your non-mandatory LFOs.
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Were you ordered to pay restitution on this case?* This field is required.This information is on your J&S, or there may be a separate order regarding restitution. (Restitution is an LFO intended to pay the crime victim back. The law treats it differently than other LFOs.)
Yes
No
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Do you owe restitution to an insurance company or state agency, other than the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)?If yes, and you are legally considered indigent (unable to pay), then this petition will request that the court waive or reduce the restitution and restitution interest.
Yes
No
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Have you paid your restitution in full?If "yes," the petition will request the court to waive the restitution interest. This decision is at the Court's discretion. There is no guarantee that your request will be granted.
Yes
No
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Do you know the dates that you entered and were released from jail or prison on this case?If you don't know, you can call DOC Headquarters at (360) 725-8213.
Yes
No
I don't know
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What is the date that you entered jail or prison on this case?If you don't know, call DOC Headquarters at (360) 725-8213. If you only know the year, please enter it below. Otherwise, write in "I don't know."
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What is the date that you were released from jail or prison on this case?If you don't know, call DOC Headquarters at (360) 725-8213. If you only know the year, please enter it below. Otherwise, write "I don't know."
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Section 5: Process for Paying Any LFOs That Will Remain

The following questions focus on how the court will continue to collect any remaining LFOs on this case.
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Would you like to request that the court place you on an affordable payment plan directly through the clerk's office?* This field is required.If yes, you will be asking the court to set a specific monthly amount that you can afford for your remaining LFOs.
Yes
No
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If yes, how much can you afford to pay monthly?
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Are any of these your ONLY source of income?* This field is required.
Social Security benefits (retirement, disability, etc.)
Child support payments
Benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs
I receive none of these
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Section 6: Requests for Other Relief
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Did you appeal this conviction?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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Have you paid the costs for your appeal in full?
Yes
No
I don't know
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Do you have the money to pay your appeal costs, but are choosing not to pay?
Yes
No
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Then your non-payment of the costs associated with your appeal was "willful," and you are not eligible to request a reduction of the costs associated with your appeal.
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Would you like to do community service (called, "community restitution") to pay towards your LFOs?Not all counties offer this option, but if they do, you will be paid minimum wage. Also consider that if you do, there may be other costs such as transportation and child care.
Yes
No
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OK. The petition will request that your eligible unpaid LFOs be converted to community service hours through a community restitution program if one is available in the county of your conviction.
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Section 7: Hearing

The following questions focus on how you prefer the court to rule on your requests (e.g., with or without a hearing).
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Would you like the court to rule on your petition without having you go to a hearing?* This field is required.There is no guarantee the court will agree to this, but the forms allow you to make the request. Be sure to check your mail and email regularly -- because if the court needs to ask you any questions, a hearing will be scheduled, and you will be required to attend.
Yes
No
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OK, how would you like to appear at that hearing?There is no guarantee that your preferred type of hearing will be granted, but the petition will make the request.
Phone or Video conference
In Person
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OK, your petition will not request a hearing. Be sure to check your mail and email regularly because if the court needs to ask you any questions, a hearing will be scheduled and you will be required to attend.
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Do you have a copy of your case financial history/LFO accounting summary to attach to your petition?* This field is required.This is an optional document that the court will refer to, to determine how much, and what kind of LFOs are still owing on your case. You can request it from the clerk’s office in the county of the conviction.
Yes
No
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What is your email address?* This field is required.Please list an email address you have access to so we can email you your filled-out court forms. After you’ve filed and served your forms, be sure to check this email address regularly, because the court may try to communicate with you.
example@example.com
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What is your current mailing address?* This field is required.Please list the address where you get your mail.
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province
Postal / Zip Code
Please Select
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Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
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Australia
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The Bahamas
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Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
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Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
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The Gambia
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Guadeloupe
Guam
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Guernsey
Guinea
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Guyana
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Hungary
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India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
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Kenya
Kiribati
North Korea
South Korea
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nagorno-Karabakh
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Mariana
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
Somaliland
South Africa
South Ossetia
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
eSwatini
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Transnistria Pridnestrovie
Trinidad and Tobago
Tristan da Cunha
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
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Uruguay
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Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
British Virgin Islands
Isle of Man
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Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
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Other
Country
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What is Your Phone Number?* This field is required.
Please enter a valid phone number.
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Signature of Petitioner/Defendant* This field is required.
Clear
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Section 8: Optional Demographic Information

None of the following answers will appear on your petition. The information is used by LwC to understand which groups we are reaching, and which groups are requesting and getting LFO relief.
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What is your age group?
21 years and under
22 to 30 years
31 to 50 years
51 to 65 years
66 years and over
Prefer not to respond
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What is your racial / ethnic identity?Check all that apply
White
Black / African American
Hispanic or Latino
American Indian / Alaska Native
Asian
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
Race not listed
I prefer not to respond
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What is your gender?Select all that apply
Cis-Male
Cis-Female
Trans-Male
Trans-Female
Two-Spirit
Nonbinary
I prefer not to respond
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Great Job! You've completed the questions needed to fill out the forms for your petition asking the court to reduce your LFOs.

Please be sure to preview the PDF that will be generated by clicking the "Preview PDF" button below. Because you are signing this document under penalty of perjury, you want to be sure everything is correct before the petition is generated and emailed to you. We will email your petition to the email address you provided.

Your session is complete, to start on a new case, please start over.

Feedback on our WebApp is always welcome. Please email us at info@livingwithconviction.org. We are a learning organization and appreciate input and feedback from the community.
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