Only the judge may authorize defendants to pay fines and costs by credit card.

Only the judge may authorize defendants to pay fines and costs by credit card.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. The clerk may also authorize
• D. No one is authorized

Answer: (B)

Allowing payment by credit card is an administrative function, not something that must go through a judge for every case. The clerk or court administrator typically has the authority to authorize and process credit card payments under the court’s policy and through a contracted payment vendor. This setup helps defendants pay promptly and keeps the court’s finances moving smoothly. So, the idea that only a judge may authorize is too narrow; clerks are authorized to approve and handle credit card payments as part of normal operations. The notion that no one is authorized is incorrect because courts establish clear policies about who can authorize such payments.

Allowing payment by credit card is an administrative function, not something that must go through a judge for every case. The clerk or court administrator typically has the authority to authorize and process credit card payments under the court’s policy and through a contracted payment vendor. This setup helps defendants pay promptly and keeps the court’s finances moving smoothly. So, the idea that only a judge may authorize is too narrow; clerks are authorized to approve and handle credit card payments as part of normal operations. The notion that no one is authorized is incorrect because courts establish clear policies about who can authorize such payments.