OPD Offers Second Chance During Warrant Amnesty Week

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. Poor decisions can often come with consequences and in some cases, that consequence can lead to a warrant for your arrest.

However, next week, the Oxford Police Department is offering a second chance for those who have a warrant issued for failing to appear in court on misdemeanor charges.

Starting Monday, people with an outstanding warrant on municipal misdemeanor offenses can walk into the OPD on Molly Barr Road and receive a new court date without going to jail.

OPD’s Officer Kevin Houston said the main purpose of the Warrant Amnesty Week is to help clean up the department’s list of outstanding misdemeanor warrants.

“And in the process, hopefully it will help some people to get a criminal history cleared up,” he said.

With many misdemeanor offenses, such as driving on a suspended license, people are given a ticket with a court date and sent on their way. Bench warrants are issued when someone fails to show up for court. Often times, Houston said, people just simply forget about their court date.

After announcing the Warrant Amnesty Week on social media, some expressed concern that OPD’s offer was a “trap,” and suggested people seeking amnesty would be taken to jail.

OPD addressed those concerns.

“No catch. No gimmick. We honestly want to clear our warrant list and this is a great way for people to get back on track without having to go to jail,” stated a post by OPD on Facebook earlier this week.

Houston said anyone can call or email him to find out if they have an outstanding warrant or citation.

After receiving the new court date, it is then up to the individual to make sure they attend the court hearing and pay their fines. While the offense will still be on their record, most misdemeanor charges can be expunged after a year.

Houston can be reached by phone at 662-232-2400 or email at khouston@oxfordpolice.net.