Owe money to the courts? State Sen. Kitchen wants to help you

On Wednesday, state Sen. Shirley Kitchen and Community Legal Services will host a free seminar to assist individuals who owe court costs and fines. Called “Culture of Collection: The New Court Payment System,” the event will be held at the Philadelphia Recovery Community Center, 1701 W. Lehigh Ave. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There, attendees can learn if they owe money, how much they owe and options to reduce or eliminate their debt. According to a press release, one in five Philadelphians owe money to the court.

“Individuals who are not current with their costs risk loss of public benefits, wage garnishment, sheriff’s sale and other financial consequences,” Kitchen said. “Forgoing this debt is not a risk worth taking.”