I had a problem with my landlord a few years back. The check I wrote him bounced, and he pressed charges. I ending up having to pay fines, which I paid on time, and was told that it all would be taken off my record. I think it was called "ARD." My questions is: Why is the total amount of the fines I PAID on my Equifax credit report? It shows as a "judgement" against me and the amount, but does not show that it was paid.

If I never defaulted on any kind of payment on those fines, why is it on my credit report??

Because your landlord may have been a SOB who reported it. Worse he may have reported it erroneously. Did he ever sue you? Did you ever go to court on this? If not, then I would contact Equifax, protest the entry and demand it be corrected or removed.

What I can't understand is why someone would press charges for a bounced check. At least not without given the payor a chance to make good.

This landlord was as scummy as they come. He wanted to evict me so that he could keep the two months security deposit he had.

Yes, I did go to distric court. And to my surprise, bouncing a check is a crime. I paid fines and did community service. The judge at the distric court did realize how much of a SOB he was. I didn't have to pay the landlord that month's rent. But there was nothing he could do about the fines because of it being a "crime."

Like I said, I paid the fines in full. I had to, it was one of the stipulations of having the judgement taken off my record. I never thought for a minute that it would be on my CREDIT record.

So if someone gets a DUI or something like that, and has to pay fines, and pays them in full on time, is that on their credit record?

Bouncing a check can be considered a crime, but most people will not prosecute if restitution is made immediately. But since he did and you went to court, then its on your record. For how long I'm not sure.