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OGDEN, Utah (AP) -- City prosecutors and court officials have announced a misdemeanor-warrant amnesty in Ogden for all of April.
Authorities will forgive fees and jail bookings for several thousand outstanding warrants that, combined have more than $1 million in bail attached.
On conviction, offenders still have to pay any fine or serve any jail sentence for the misdemeanor.
The move accommodates the July opening of the new Ogden Justice Court that will hear city cases previously filed in 2nd District Court.
"A lot of people have a fear that, once a warrant's out, they've got to go into hiding, that we're going to book them into jail. And they're right," said Mike Junk, senior city prosecutor.
"But with this amnesty, we're saying, Come out of hiding, come in, get this taken care of. We won't book you and we'll waive the fees."'
The estimated 2,500 to 3,000 warrants, some more than seven years old, cover missed court dates on offenses from assault to minor traffic violations, Junk said.
Because the old cases won't transfer to the new court, the amnesty is meant to help city prosecutors staffing the new court while continuing to staff a caseload with the district court. It will also help ease the strain of stretching the small staff of prosecutors to cover two courthouses.
Waived fees include $50 late fees and $70 warrant fees, plus bail amounts that can run $1,000 or more.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
