For a second year running, Lawrence Municipal Court is holding a school supply drive that will allow people to pay off $50 in fines with $15 worth of school supplies.
“Participants can purchase $15 worth of new school supplies from the approved supply list below and bring them to the Lawrence Municipal Court along with the receipt to get $50 credited towards a traffic infraction and/or parking fines,” according to a Friday news release from the city.
Here’s the list of specific supplies that will apply toward fines:
- Washable markers (thick; Classic 8-pack)
- #2 Pencils, colored pencils, highlighters
- Dry erase markers (wide; blue/black)
- 24-pack Crayola Crayons
- Glue sticks/liquid glue
- 2-pocket folders
- Composition notebooks/spiral notebooks (wide rule)
- Scissors
- Index cards (100 ct.)
- Ream of paper (500 sheets; white)
- Pencil box
- Fine or ultra fine point black Sharpie
- Headphones (over the ear; no earbuds)
- Backpacks
- Antibacterial wipes
- Kleenex
- Play-Doh
“The donations will only apply to existing court fines, not potential future fines. Individuals can also choose to donate toward fines on another person’s account,” according to the release.
Municipal Court Judge Chris Kopecky, who started in his role in October 2022, said last year that the Olathe municipal court had a similar initiative, and he thought it might be a good thing to do here.
Vicki Stanwix, court administrator, said via email last year that 44 people donated items in exchange for a reduction in parking or infraction fines. The court also received donations from some people who owed less than $50 in fines, and from people who did not owe fines to the court but wanted to give back to the community, she said.
Anyone who has questions can call municipal court at 785-832-6190.
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