RELEASE: , 2004

Child Support Amnesty Week Offers Parents Another Chance

to Help Children Start the School Year Right

Delinquent Parents Can Have Bench Warrants Discharged Upon Payment Agreement

  TRENTON, NJ (SEPT. 7, 2004) – New Jersey residents who are so delinquent on their child support payments that they have warrants out for their arrest will have a window of opportunity to work out a payment plan and avoid jail, Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy announced today.

Amnesty Week, from Wednesday, September 8, until Tuesday, September 14, offers a second chance for non-custodial parents who owe back support to get back on track for caring for their children. It is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Human Services Office of Child Support and the New Jersey Judiciary, who collaborate to deliver child support services and enforce the payment of court-ordered support.

“In New Jersey , too many non-custodial parents have outstanding warrants for their arrest for failing to keep up with the terms of their support orders. With school starting and children needing clothes and supplies and guidance this time of year, it is important for both parents to be involved,” Commissioner Davy said.

Judge Philip Carchman, acting administrative director of the courts, offered the cooperation of the Judiciary for the Amnesty Week program. “We have participated in similar programs in the past. Through our cooperation, the courts will temporarily defer critical enforcement actions in an effort to contribute to the greater good of recouping delinquent support for children whose parents who have not been paying. This is an opportunity for parents to get back on track,” Judge Carchman said.

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“More than 500,000 children in New Jersey depend on child support and more than 30 percent of those cases involve a non-custodial parent who is delinquent or failing to meet his or her obligations," said Commissioner Davy. “The purpose of Amnesty Week is to emphasize to non-custodial parents the importance of supporting their children on a regular basis. We much prefer to help parents meet their obligations than see them in jail.”

Parents who appear at the court's probation division, child support enforcement office during this period of amnesty, and reach an agreement with that office regarding support arrears and future payment, can have their arrest warrants discharged.

“Probation staff are prepared to work with parents,” said Richard Narcini, chief of the Judiciary's child support enforcement unit. “No appointment is needed and many offices are extending their hours for Amnesty Week,” Narcini said.

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.

“Regardless of their living situation or relationship, both parents need to provide the financial and emotional support a child needs to grow into a responsible adult,” said Alisha Griffin, director, Office of Child Support. “Amnesty Week is an opportunity for parents who owe support to get back on track and give their children the assistance they need and deserve.”

Non-custodial parents who are delinquent on their support payments and are interested in participating in the New Jersey Child Support Amnesty Program should call the court's local probation division handling their case for hours and information.

For more information about this program or New Jersey child support services, please call

1-877-NJKIDS1 or log onto www.njchildsupport.org.

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