The Malvern Police Department is going after defendants who fail to pay their fines.

They're busy serving 160 arrest warrants for defendants who were convicted in Malvern District Court. The total of unpaid fines is more than $116,000.

The warrant sweep started on Friday, and by 4:00 p.m., the department had served 20 warrants for more than $15,000 in old fines.

The operation to serve the warrants will continue over the next several weeks in an attempt to get these individuals into court. If a defendant is convicted of failing to pay his or her fine, the court may order them to spend up to 30 days in jail in lieu of paying the fine. It may also be possible to perform community service work to work off the old fines.

Defendants arrested on the warrants for failing to pay their fines may be required to post a substantial cash bond in order to be released until their court date.

Any person with a warrant for Failure to Pay Fines and Costs who wishes to turn themselves in before being arrested will receive special consideration and be allowed to be released with a signature bond. They must go to the Malvern Police Department at 215 East Highland Street at any time and ask to see an officer.

Anyone wishing to make fine payments may come to the Malvern Police Department on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  The business office which takes fines is closed on state holidays.