What forms of payment does the court accept?

The court accepts payments made by check, money order, and casher’s check by mail or at the intake counter.  For some types of payments, (e.g. copy fees, penalty assessments, filing fees) credit or debit cards may be accepted at the intake counter.  Pay.gov payments through CM/ECF are accepted for new case filings, appeals, attorney admissions, and pro hac vice applications.

 

How should the check be made payable?

Please make checks payable to “Clerk, U.S. District Court.”  Write your case number, name, and any other reference number on your check so that we can properly apply your payment.

 

Whom do I call to find out my outstanding balance for criminal debt (special assessment, restitution, fine)?

Please call the Financial Unit at (916)930-4866 for the principal amount owed.  You will need to call the U.S. Attorney’s Financial Litigation Unit at (916)554-2700 to find out how much interest and/or penalty amounts might have been assessed.  The Clerk’s Office Financial Until is not able to calculate interest or penalty amounts.

 

Whom do I contact to inquire about a restitution payment?

Please call the Financial Unit at (916)930-4866 for the status of payment.  Restitution payments can only be made when there are funds available.  Funds are held for 4-6 weeks before disbursement to ensure the check clears.  If there are no funds available, we do not know when there will be funds available for disbursement.  You can try contacting the U.S. Attorney’s Financial Litigation Unit or Probation Office for the status.

Restitution monies received are prorated to all victims in a case based on the amount of loss unless the court orders one or more victims to be paid first.  Restitution is paid first to individuals before insurers and federal victims.  Payments are made once a month. A victim’s prorated amount at the time of disbursement must be $25.00 or more to receive a payment unless it is a final payment less than $25.00.

Payments are made on U.S. Treasury checks.  Please contact the Financial Unit at (916)930-4866 or email at financial@caed.uscourts.gov if you are not able to determine which case this check is for.  Please provide the check number and date with your inquiry.

 

How do I request a change of address for restitution checks?

Please complete and submit to the Financial Unit the CAED Victim Address Change Form by mail, email, or in person to the U.S. District Court, 501 I Street, Room 4-200, Sacramento, CA 95814.

 

What do I need to do to change the payee’s name on a restitution check due to marriage, divorce, or death?

Please complete and submit to the Financial Unit the CAED Victim Name Change Form by mail, email, or in person to the U.S. District Court, 501 I Street, Room 4-200, Sacramento, CA 95814.

 

How do I get my money which was posted for a criminal bond returned to me?

A court order to exonerate the bond is required to release the criminal bond.  An IRS Form W-9 completed by the recipient of the funds prior to disbursement is also required.  Please refer to Local Rule 150 for more details.  If you have additional questions or are ready for the proposed order to be reviewed, please email financial@caed.uscourts.gov