Columbia Municipal Court offers warrant amnesty next week

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The city of Columbia Municipal Court will offer warrant amnesty for individuals who wish to turn themselves into the court from Sept. 13 through the 17.

The warrant amnesty applies to outstanding warrants for failing to appear for traffic, parking tickets or other City of Columbia ordinance violations from the Columbia Municipal Court.

Individuals who voluntarily turn themselves in will have a recalled municipal warrant and an opportunity to resolve the case that day or will have a new court date set.

Municipal Court Judge Cavanaugh Noce says the amnesty will help the person with a chance to get back on the right track by resolving or setting their case for a resolution.

"A person can choose to be accountable and come in on their own time, or risk being arrested by officers when the warrant amnesty expires. It is my hope that citizens who have been afraid of going to jail will take this opportunity for a fresh start and come in on their own to get their City warrants recalled," Noce said.

The court will issue a new if the person participates in the warrant amnesty and does not show up for scheduled court dates.