Legislation authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) providing offenders the option of performing community service in lieu of paying court fees heads to the governor’s desk and could soon become law.Under current law, a convicted person who does not pay their court fees by a specified date defaults and can be sent to jail. Under Pressel’s legislation, a court could reduce some or all of the costs owed by a person convicted of a felony or misdemeanor if they perform community service.According to Pressel, courts could determine the number of hours volunteered, multiply the hours by the state minimum wage, and subtract that figure from the total amount owed. Pressel said giving offenders a chance to perform community service would help them re-enter the community and workforce, rather than continuing a cycle of sentences at the expense of taxpayers.House Enrolled Act 1087 is now eligible for action by the governor. For more information, visit iga.in.gov.