Clayton County judge offers two-week extensions for suspended‑sentence fines; warns of arrest warrants

Clayton County State Court handled a suspended‑sentence (SSD) calendar on Jan. 13, 2025, where dozens of people who had previously been ordered to pay fines and fees but had not done so appeared. Judge Tammy Long Hayward opened the SSD calendar and explained that the court could grant limited extensions to pay outstanding fines and fees but warned that arrest warrants would issue if payments were not made within the extensions granted.

Court staff attorney Kiara Powell managed the calendar’s intake: Powell offered two‑week extensions to many defendants, took email addresses for court orders, and told those granted extensions they must pay in person at the state court clerk’s office on the second floor of the Clayton County Justice Center, rather than online in most cases. For larger balances (several defendants faced four‑ and five‑figure totals), the court repeated its standard guidance: payments must be prioritized and the court can sign arrest warrants if the money remains unpaid after the extension.

Several defendants accepted the two‑week extensions; a small number went to the clerk’s office immediately and were allowed to return with receipts to be marked paid. Judge Hayward emphasized that the court had previously given time to pay and that repeated failures to pay could result in arrest; she said the court had already signed releases in some recent matters but cautioned the public that failure to address obligations creates exposure to warrants or detention.

Powell told defendants to expect emailed orders confirming the extension dates and stressed that payments usually must be made in person because the accounts were late. The court said it will mail notices of any future SSD calendar dates and that defendants who pay in full ahead of the calendar would be dismissed and not required to appear.