Will that be Debit or Credit Card?

Provincial Court in Halifax is now accepting fine payments by debit or Visa card. Either method can be used to pay fines, restitution orders or court costs.

The Department of Justice has offered the payment options at the metro court since October as a pilot project. It's been popular with almost $42,000 being collected so far.

"We're simply offering the kind of convenient service that people come to expect with their financial transactions," said Justice Minister Michael Baker.

The option of using debit and credit cards will likely be offered at the Halifax Law Courts early in the new year. If it continues to be popular, the service will be expanded to all justice centres in Nova Scotia.

All payments must be made in person and cannot be made by telephone. In addition, the use of debit will not provide for any cash back.

Visa will not be accepted when the courts order payment of bail. That will still require cash, certified cheque, money order, or a debit card.