ASHLAND — A group of eight Amish people refused to pay their fines for their violations of Ohio’s new buggy law in a fines and costs hearing in Ashland Municipal Court on Thursday.
Elmer Hershberger, Mosie Shetler, Andy Swartzentruber, Eli L. Swartzentruber, Henry Swartzentruber, Susan Troyer, Eli J. Yoder, and Levi Yoder all told Judge Fred Oxley that they would not pay their fines because it is against their religious beliefs, opening up the possibility of jail time.
Mosie Shetler, Levi Yoder, and Andy Swartzentruber told Oxley directly that they would prefer jail time over paying the fines.
“I’d rather take the jail,” Swartzentruber said.
Fines and costs hearings are normally used to determine a person’s ability to pay a fine and develop a payment plan if necessary. Some people have multiple fines and costs hearings so the court can check in on their payments.
At the beginning of the hearing, Oxley outlined all the ways someone could pay a fine, like wage garnishes, liens, asset forfeiture, or community service.
He said jail time was a “distinct possibility” for refusing to pay a fine and that the Amish would likely only spend a few days in prison.
After one of the Amish announced his refusal, Oxley told him to be prepared to go to jail on the group’s next court date on April 14 at 1 p.m.
Under Ohio law, people who willingly refuse to pay fines can be imprisoned and earn a $50 credit toward their fines for every day they spend in jail. The majority of the Amish have fines of around $150.
The group at Thursday’s hearing were ticketed in the fall for not having yellow flashing lights on their buggies, as required by a recently-signed law. At their initial hearings, they plead no contest and indicated they would refuse to pay their fines.
These Amish are part of Ashland County’s Swartzentruber community, whose members have called the buggy lights “too worldly”.
Two Amish men, Jacob Hershberger and Ezra Hershberger, had a court hearing scheduled for Thursday morning, but an anonymous caller paid their fines on Wednesday, meaning the men did not have to appear in court.
Another group of Amish who violated the buggy law is set to appear in court for a similar hearing on Jan. 26.
Watch the entire hearing below.
