Allowing city attorneys and municipal court clerks to file judgement liens

SB 700 allows municipal court clerks and city attorneys in West Virginia to file judgment liens against individuals who fail to pay court-imposed fines or costs for traffic violations, minor crimes, or municipal ordinances after missing payments for 90 days. It establishes a structured payment plan system requiring a $25 fee (or five installments), with monthly payments calculated as 2% of annual income (minimum $10) or spread over three years. If payments remain delinquent, clerks may charge $10 monthly late fees and file liens against property or send debts to collections - without reducing the full amount owed - after 90 days of nonpayment. This directly affects residents with unresolved court fines, providing a formal process for debt collection while requiring clerks to notify city attorneys before filing liens.