On Your Side Q&A: Harpersville court woes

This summer, a Shelby County judge compared the Harpersville Court to a debtor's prison.

Several people have claimed they were unfairly jailed because they couldn't afford their fines of additional fees from a private probation company.

That same judge shut down the city court and transferred its cases to Shelby County courts. In the meantime, records were seized from the court and probation company.

Now some traffic violators feel caught in the middle. FOX6 viewer Patsy Smith says she has been trying for three months to help her granddaughter pay her fine.

"We started in July trying to get drivers license reinstated for our granddaughter. We admitted to the fact that it was wrong on her part. She was speeding 12 miles over speed limit," Smith said. "If you have had your license pulled due to some issue with a ticket you now cannot pay or clear it up. We have called every agency up to the Governor trying to find out how to pay this ticket. There is nothing set up."

Shelby County Deputy Clerk Jill Smitherman says "anything prior to August will remain with the sheriff's department during their investigation." Smitherman also says no additional fees will be charged during this time for those records caught in limbo.

As for those trying to reinstate driver's licenses, the county clerk's office tells FOX6 News reporter Ronda Robinson that the Shelby County District Attorney is trying to create some sort of system to deal with these issues with the Department of Public Safety.

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