Maplesville tickets to be paid online

Published 8:20 pm Wednesday, May 13, 2009

People who owe fines in the Town of Maplesville will soon be able to pay their tickets online.

The Maplesville Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to allow Georgia-based company nCourt to establish a Web site for the town’s municipal court system.

Implementing the program will come at no cost to the town, Municipal Court Clerk and Magistrate Cindy Brown said.

“Anytime you can increase your technology and don’t have to spend any money, it’s good,” Brown said Wednesday. “I think people are looking for convenience these days.”

In addition to saving a trip to the town hall, post office or bank, residents who opt to use the online service will also save postage. Of course, there will be a nominal fee that has yet to be determined.

“The other thing is, a lot of people forget about their tickets until the last minute,” Brown added.

An average of about 50 tickets are paid to the town’s municipal court per month, Brown estimated. Currently, tickets can be paid by cash, cashier’s check or money order. The new system will eliminate the need for these payment methods, except for tickets that must be handled in court.

Aside from setting up the Web site, all the town has to do is complete some paperwork for the program.

“I would imagine it would take us at least a couple of months to get it up and running,” Brown said.