Philly launches bail amnesty program

PHILADELPHIA - June 29, 2010

Much like a recent tax amnesty program, defendants with outstanding debts have the chance to pay up without penalty.

An estimated 200,000 people owe bail money in Philadelphia going back 40 years.

Under the deal, the courts will send out notices to debtors, post their names online and, if they fail to pay up, turn their cases over to collection agencies. If that happens, the waived fees will be tacked back on.

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