Thursday, October 1, 2026
Thurston County will hold a Legal Financial Obligation (LFO) Reconsideration Day on August 15, Monday, at the Thurston County Courthouse for community members who may have problems paying their fines.
“Most individuals who come through the Thurston County criminal court system are below the federal poverty line,” the county remarked in a press release earlier today.
“Paying fines and fees because of a criminal conviction can cause additional hardship,” it added, “and make reentry into the community more difficult.”
Organized by the Thurston County Clerk’s Office, District Court, Public Defense, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Superior Court, attorneys will review each presented case individually to determine if they are eligible for reconsideration, in which case they will be given an appointment time at least a week in advance for their LFOs to be re-examined in court.
Registration and participation is free and can be attended either in person or online through Zoom. Concerned individuals must register at the county’s Public Defense website.
“Recent changes to Washington’s laws have created opportunities for cities and counties to address these challenges,” the county explained. “Individuals previously convicted of one or more crimes in Thurston County may be eligible to have their legal financial fines or fees waived or reduced.”
Questions may be addressed to LFOevent@co.thurston.wa.us.
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Tractor1
LFO's waived or reduced -- WT?. Assign community service hours at meaningful activities associated with the crime. "You commit a crime - you pay" program.
Stop coddling the guilty!
Friday, June 10, 2022 Report this
Deskandchairs
If you can't pay the fine, don't do the crime
Friday, June 10, 2022 Report this
JulesJames
Excellent strategy for maintaining the cycles of dependency. The benevolence of the taxpayer can be word-spun so many ways to pretend society's compassion can uplift individuals to turn around from their wicked ways, but it is arrogance in reality. Arrogance that government has the power to help if it bends, ignores or abrogates enough simple common sense rules of civil society. Break the law? Get punished. Do your time, pay the fine. Instead, we are moving to a system of crime, then stall the consequences until some do-gooder dreams up another Get Out Of Jail Free card. No life lessons learned -- just plead POVERTY and live in poverty while committing crimes.
Friday, June 10, 2022 Report this
wstnow
Many people with LFOs have done their time but are still stuck with paying court costs. Civilized societies gave up debtors prison a long time ago. Its in everyone's interest that people who did crimes get back on their feet and become productive members of society and supporters of their families. That's much more difficult with a high debt load on their backs.
Friday, June 10, 2022 Report this