Recipients of payable citations due to Freeborn District Court can now pay their fines via an automated phone system or online using a credit card 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is only available for citations that do not require a court appearance.

Payments can be made by calling 651-281-3219 in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, or toll-free at 800-657-3611. Payment can also be made through the Judicial Branch website www.mncourts.gov. A convenience fee will be charged for each payment made by phone or web. Payments may still be made in person at the courthouse or by mail.

The service is being rolled out statewide over a two-year period as part of a Judicial Branch effort to reduce costs and improve service to the public. Under the project, the processing of about 1 million payable citations each year is being transitioned from local courthouses to a centralized court payment center. The project also includes creation of a statewide call center to answer questions and direct callers to the appropriate location if a court appearance or other action is required.

When complete, the project will reduce manual data entry, freeing up court staff for other case processing duties. It will also include the electronic filing of citations by many law enforcement departments directly into the court computer system, automated distribution of fine revenue to local governments and the state treasury, and automated referral of overdue fines to the Judicial Branch’s debt collection service.