Non-custodial parents in New Jersey, who are delinquent on their child support payments and have warrants out for their arrest, may avoid jail time and other penalties if they take advantage of Child Support Amnesty Week, April 28 through May 3.
“I recommend that individuals who have fallen behind in their child support payments use this opportunity to make remuneration or establish a payment plan,” said Camden County Sheriff Charles H. Billingham. “Participation in this amnesty program can help delinquent parents get back on the right track with their support.”
The initiative is organized by the Department of Human Services’ division of Family Development’s Office of Child Support Services and the New Jersey Judiciary, the agencies responsible for the payment and enforcement of court-ordered child support.
More than 400,000 New Jersey children depend on child support and 58 percent of child support cases involve a non-custodial parent who is not meeting his or her payment obligations.
Non-custodial parents can visit participating probation child support offices to make a payment and to reach a payment plan regarding back pay and future payments. Those who are able to reach a plan may have their arrest warrants discharged. Delinquent parents who are unable to reach a payment agreement will not be arrested and will be allowed to leave the premises. However, the arrest warrant remains in effect and they may be arrested at any future time.
Non-custodial parents who are interested in participating can visit www.njchildsupport.org for information statewide.
For more information about this program or New Jersey Child Support Services, log onto www.njchildsupport.org.
