AURORA | Aurora city courts are offering an amnesty program to forgive people who have outstanding nonviolent warrants for their arrest.
Aurora Municipal Court, in partnership with the Aurora Public Defender’s Office, will offer individuals with active warrants for non-violent crimes the opportunity to clear those warrants without arrest, according to a city statement.
“The initiative is designed to help residents resolve outstanding issues while allowing law enforcement to focus resources on more serious offenders who perpetrate violent crimes that directly victimize others,” the statement said.
Violent crimes such as domestic violence, assault, disorderly conduct and menacing are not included in the forgiveness program.
The so-called “Fresh Start Week” is slated for Dec. 8 through Dec. 12, allowing community members with active warrants in Aurora Municipal Court to have those warrants cancelled and their cases reset, simply by showing up, according to the statement.
“The effort will not only benefit individuals seeking to move forward with their lives but also reduce taxpayer costs and promote a more efficient community,” officials said in a statement.
Warrants that can be cleared include Aurora Municipal Court warrants in traffic, animal control, zoning and other select criminal cases. Misdemeanor crimes involving violence or weapons are not included.
People seeking to clear a warrant must show up on the specified days and times during walk-in court on the afternoons of Dec. 8, 9, 11 and 12 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Court will not be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Individuals must check in with Court Services or the Aurora Public Defender by 1 p.m. each day to ensure their case is on that day’s docket. Those who arrive after 1 p.m. will only have their cases added to that day’s docket if time permits.
Those who show up will be able to speak with a defense attorney from the Aurora Public Defender’s Office, appear before a judge and have their warrant cancelled. They may then set a new court date in their case or resolve it.
Walk-in court is held in Division 6 of the Aurora Municipal Court, 14999 E. Alameda Parkway.
There is an option for people unable to attend to appear remotely with the help of the Aurora Public Defender, according to the statement. For that service, defendants must meet with a defense attorney at the Aurora Mental Health and Recovery homeless services drop-in center at 1544 Elmira St. on Dec. 8, Dec. 9 or Dec. 11. The remote appearance option is not available on Dec. 12.
There will be interpreters available at both locations.
To register or ask about eligibility, email pubdefwarrants@auroragov.org, with a first and last name, date of birth and contact information.
People can also call 303-739-6555 or visit the Aurora Public Defender in person. The office is located on the second floor of the Aurora Municipal Court and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pre-registration for Fresh Start Week is not required but strongly encouraged, according to the statement.
Individuals can check active warrants by visiting court.auroragov.org/warrant.
Hello. I really appreciate the way Cassandra made this story into an informational piece instead of a back and forth on the merits of the program. It’s almost as if she understood the newspaper is meant to be a source of information instead of consternation. Big thanks to Cassandra and any editorial staff who may have contributed.