Spring Break
Amnesty period proceeds roundup
By: Teri Ruland
Issue date: 2/20/09 Section: News
A warrant amnesty period has been put into effect through Feb. 27 by local law enforcement agencies.
After the amnesty period, there will be a warrant round-up across the state of Texas.
"Starting March 2 through the 13, police departments will participate in a state-wide warrant roundup," Spillane said.
During the amnesty period, he said there are approximately 100 warrants cleared by the courts.
"[Judges] will waive the $50 warrant fee and people will avoid being arrested," said College Station Municipal Court Judge Edward Spillane.
County courts have amnesty periods twice a year.
"It's just a way to get people to go in to take care of tickets," Spillane said.
Credit cards, money orders, personal checks, cashier's checks and cash will all be accepted. The cash option is available when a defendant appears in person at the court.
No partial payment schedules will be allowed if citizens want to avoid the $50 fee, according to a press release. College Station's online citation payment system cannot be used to pay outstanding warrants.
"People think that if they avoid tickets, they think they'll go away and they won't get arrested or they are afraid to come in," he said. "And sometimes they forget."
He said people will not be arrested during the warrant amnesty period as long as they turn themselves in and pay fines in full.
"The main goal isn't to get people arrested but to take care of their cases," Spillane said. "I urge people to check with courts and not be afraid to come in and take care of their cases."
Court contact
City of College Station Municipal Court
979.764.3683
Bryan Municipal Court Administrator Hilda Cuthbertson
979.209.5400
After the amnesty period, there will be a warrant round-up across the state of Texas.
"Starting March 2 through the 13, police departments will participate in a state-wide warrant roundup," Spillane said.
During the amnesty period, he said there are approximately 100 warrants cleared by the courts.
"[Judges] will waive the $50 warrant fee and people will avoid being arrested," said College Station Municipal Court Judge Edward Spillane.
County courts have amnesty periods twice a year.
"It's just a way to get people to go in to take care of tickets," Spillane said.
Credit cards, money orders, personal checks, cashier's checks and cash will all be accepted. The cash option is available when a defendant appears in person at the court.
No partial payment schedules will be allowed if citizens want to avoid the $50 fee, according to a press release. College Station's online citation payment system cannot be used to pay outstanding warrants.
"People think that if they avoid tickets, they think they'll go away and they won't get arrested or they are afraid to come in," he said. "And sometimes they forget."
He said people will not be arrested during the warrant amnesty period as long as they turn themselves in and pay fines in full.
"The main goal isn't to get people arrested but to take care of their cases," Spillane said. "I urge people to check with courts and not be afraid to come in and take care of their cases."
Court contact
City of College Station Municipal Court
979.764.3683
Bryan Municipal Court Administrator Hilda Cuthbertson
979.209.5400
Be sure to include your name, major, and class year. Submissions without this information are subject to deletion.
By submitting a comment, you agree to thebatt.com's Terms of Use.
You may also send a Mail Call to The Battalion at mailcall@thebatt.com