Riverton council presses municipal court and law enforcement on fines, curfews and juvenile accountability

Lede: Riverton council members used a Sept. 9 work session to press municipal-court officials and law‑enforcement leaders for more options to enforce fines, reduce repeat offending and strengthen juvenile curfew enforcement.

Nut graf: Council members and court officials described existing practices — warrants for failure to pay, the judge’s contempt process, and limits on garnishment — and discussed possible remedies that include converting fines to civil judgments for garnishment, publishing outstanding warrants, expanding community-service options and strengthening curfew enforcement with parent accountability.

Body: Council members asked whether the city can pursue civil garnishment to collect municipal fines. City Attorney Rick Sollers said a municipality can convert fines to civil judgments and pursue garnishment in circuit or general sessions court, but the process requires filing, service and administrative expense; he added that many defendants are “judgment proof” because they lack employment or assets.

Sollers described court practice: judges sometimes issue warrants for failure to pay fines; the judge also uses contempt to secure payment and may set bonds reflecting unpaid amounts. Sollers told the council the court often sees increased payments after short custody stays. A staff member confirmed that the municipal court has issued warrants and that filing in circuit court for garnishment carries fees and service costs.

Councilmembers also discussed juvenile curfew enforcement. The council heard that the city ordinance makes it unlawful for persons under 18 “to be or remain upon any of the streets, alleys, or public places in the city at night” between midnight and 6 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or on authorized business. Participants debated enforcement approaches and parental accountability; some council members argued for stricter enforcement and fines for guardians, while others urged caution to avoid stigmatizing youth.

The council discussed community service as a potential sanction. Staff and the prosecutor noted juvenile community service can be ordered and supervised through youth services; for adults, community-service assignments raise workers’-compensation and liability issues unless the city provides coverage.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to report options for converting municipal fines to civil judgments, costs of pursuing garnishments, and policies for curfew enforcement and juvenile diversion or community-service programs so the council can decide next steps.