County Attorney Press Releases

Monday Is The Last Day To Take Advantage Of The Hot Check Amnesty Period

So far more than 300 residents have paid nearly $65,000

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today reminded hot check writers with outstanding arrest warrants that Monday June 7, 2010 is the last day to take advantage of the current amnesty period.

Individuals that pay their outstanding amount by Monday will avoid arrest during an upcoming county-wide warrant round-up being coordinated by the County Attorney's Office with the assistance of the El Paso Sheriff's Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, local constables and the Fort Bliss Military police.

 Additionally, individuals who pay their outstanding balances before the end of the amnesty period will save money by avoiding the payment of various charges, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond after arrest.

A list with the names and addresses of more than 3,600 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants who owe local merchants more than 3.3 million dollars was made public on May 31, 2010 and remains posted at the El Paso County's main web page (http://www.epcounty.com/).

Additionally, the following media outlets have posted the Hot Check Warrant List on their web-sites to make it easier for the public to access the information:

  • KVIA ABC-7
  • KTSM NewsChannel 9
  • KFOX-TV Channel 14
  • KINT Univision 26
  • Diario de El Paso
  • Spotlight E.P. News

Residents with outstanding hot check warrants who want to take advantage of the amnesty period can make their payments in person without fear of arrest at the following locations:

  • El Paso County Courthouse

500 E. San Antonio, room 503 (5th floor)

Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

  • El Paso County Ysleta Annex

9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3

Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m

Forms of payment accepted include most credit cards, money orders, cashiers checks, and cash; those paying cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers can't give change).

In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through "Hot Check E-pay," by visiting the El Paso County Attorney's Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA.

For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051.

Since May 14, 2010, when the amnesty period was announced, the County Attorney's Office has collected more than $64,000 from more than 310 individuals.

During last fiscal year (2008-2009) the Hot Check Unit collected 1.2 million dollars in outstanding hot checks.            

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2010 Hot Check Amnesty Press Release #3.pdf