From March 14 to April 14, the Reno Municipal Court will allow people who have warrants for unpaid traffic tickets or minor misdemeanors to pay the fine and have their warrant forgiven.Â
Judge Dorothy Nash Holmes says Reno has about 2,500 outstanding warrants for minor violations, adding up to about $1.9 million. That could take pressure off the defendants and add revenue to the City.
"We're not going to do it on something like a DUI or a domestic battery," Nash Holmes said. "We're going to do it on minor misdemeanors."
Those minor infractions range from unpaid parking tickets to minor in possession citations. Petty larceny and trespassing would also fall into the amnesty program. Paying the original fine and related fees will get the warrant waived, and could save the defendant up to $275.
"Some people, they forgot to pay or they forgot to show up and then they're afraid to come to court,"Â Holmes said. "So, our objective is to get rid of that fear, get people down here to deal with it, and we'll help them solve the problem."
About 1,000 of the warrants are more than two years old. By removing so many of them, it also frees up time and manpower for the Reno Police Department.Â
"It keeps us out on the street to actually enforce traffic laws," Officer Tim Broadway, Reno Police Department said. "It keeps us out there, investigating some of the crime trends in the area."
Broadway says it also adds time and workload for support staff and records clerks, who deal with paperwork and communication.
People with warrants can make their payments at the Reno Municipal Court at 1 South Sierra Street. They can also call (775) 334-3075 to make their payments. Failure to pay could result in a suspended driver's license, time in jail, and a mark on his or her criminal history. That could prevent the defendant from finding a job. Also, the amount owed could be sent to a private collection agency, and could have a negative impact on the defendant's credit rating.
"It might cost them a little but in the long run, but it will save them a couple hours in jail, time away from work, when they could be out there making money," Broadway said.
Judge Nash Holmes says it costs $111 per day, to keep someone in jail, and the average amount for traffic tickets, plus the fines and fees is about $780. That makes the warrant forgiveness program very worthwhile.
"This is going to save them money," Nash Holmes said. "It's going to save us time and money and effort and resources, and it just works for everybody."
Defendants can opt to serve community service, rather than pay the fine. Each hour of work counts as $10 of the amount owed.
The Reno Municipal Court cannot resolve any warrants issued by other jurisdictions.
