The Charles County Sheriff's Office will keep the Charles County Courthouse open for extended hours this week to give child support violators the opportunity to take advantage of an amnesty period that ends August 13.
People wanted on outstanding warrants for failing to pay child support can respond in person between now and Saturday, August 13, to the Master's Office on the first floor of the Courthouse and make a good-faith payment toward their child support arrears without fear of being arrested. Charles County Sheriff's court security officers will keep the Courthouse open Wednesday, August 10, and Friday, August 12, until 7 p.m. The Courthouse will also be open Saturday, August 13, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Once a wanted person makes a payment, the warrant for that person's arrest will be recalled and a payment plan will be established.
During the amnesty period, officers will not actively seek out anyone wanted for child support. However, if an officer stops a wanted person on a traffic stop or during call for service, the person will be arrested.
The Charles County Sheriff's Office, Department of Social Services Master's Office and Office of the Court Clerk are jointly offering the amnesty program to coincide with an amnesty period held August 1-13 in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Anyone with questions may contact the Charles County Department of Social Services at 1-800-332-6347.
Once the amnesty period ends, the Sheriff's Office will resume enforcement efforts on child support violators.