After reaching a partial settlement with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Bogalusa City Court will issue a $50 refund to anyone who paid an “extension” fee of that amount, when they were given additional time to pay fines and court costs on or after June 21, 2015.

The SPLC filed a lawsuit in June of 2016 against the court for allegedly “setting up a modern-day debtor’s prison by illegally jailing indigent people too poor to pay fines and court costs,” according to an SPLC press release.

Mayor Wendy Perrette said since the litigation is ongoing she is not free to speak on the matter.

Those who paid the extension fee on or after June 21, 2015, should receive a claim form in the mail at their last known address. Claim forms may also be obtained at the court clerk’s office.

Individuals seeking a refund need to send a completed form to the Bogalusa City Court Clerk’s Office at 202 Arkansas Ave. by no later than Sept. 25, 2017.

After a completed form is verified, the court will issue a $50 check. It may be cashed for no fee at the Citizens Savings Bank at 1725 Sullivan Drive.

Anyone with questions about whether they are entitled to a refund may contact the Bogalusa City Court Clerk’s Office at 985-732-6204.