A chance to settle outstanding traffic tickets, before sweep
Court has 1,600 cases with arrest warrants issued; state police to conduct roundup after Nov. 21
Jason Auslander | The New Mexican
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 11/6/09
Posted: Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 11/6/09
Comments 
22
22
Facebook
Twitter
Print storySanta Feans with arrest warrants issued because of traffic offenses will have a chance to take care of their cases without going to jail first.
Defendants must show up at the Santa Fe County Magistrate Court at 8 a.m. on Nov. 21 to take advantage of the court's warrant forgiveness program, according to a news release from the state Administrative Office of the Courts. The program will not apply to defendants with warrants based on domestic-violence or drunken-driving cases.
In addition, state police have agreed to conduct a roundup of those with traffic-related arrest warrants after Nov. 21, said Magistrate David Segura. State police usually don't include traffic offenses in warrant roundups, he said.
The idea came about because of a large backlog of cases at Magistrate Court, including about 1,600 outstanding traffic cases with arrest warrants attached, Segura said.
"We'd like to clear off our docket to handle more serious cases like DWI and domestic violence," Segura said.
The Saturday scheduling also will allow people who work during the week to come in and take care of their tickets and warrants, he said. Essentially, it's an opportunity to compromise, Segura said. That means judges will work with defendants to figure out a payment schedule or, if a person has no money, assign community service at area organizations like Habitat for Humanity in lieu of payment, he said.
"We think it's a great idea," Segura said.
Those who think they might have a warrant out for their arrest can check the "case lookup" section of nmcourts.com. A Texas company will attempt to contact defendants by telephone or mail and let them know of the program, the news release states.
Segura said he hopes to get 20 percent to 30 percent of the 1,600 people with outstanding tickets and arrest warrants to come to the court.
Those interested must show up at the court by 10 a.m., though the program will last until noon, Segura said. For more information, call Cynthia Pacheco at 827-4721.
Contact Jason Auslander at 986-3076 or :jauslander@sfnewmexican.com.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the date that people should appear at Santa Fe County Magistrate Court to address warrant issues. The correction was applied to the story at 9:40 a.m. on Nov. 6.
Defendants must show up at the Santa Fe County Magistrate Court at 8 a.m. on Nov. 21 to take advantage of the court's warrant forgiveness program, according to a news release from the state Administrative Office of the Courts. The program will not apply to defendants with warrants based on domestic-violence or drunken-driving cases.
In addition, state police have agreed to conduct a roundup of those with traffic-related arrest warrants after Nov. 21, said Magistrate David Segura. State police usually don't include traffic offenses in warrant roundups, he said.
The idea came about because of a large backlog of cases at Magistrate Court, including about 1,600 outstanding traffic cases with arrest warrants attached, Segura said.
"We'd like to clear off our docket to handle more serious cases like DWI and domestic violence," Segura said.
The Saturday scheduling also will allow people who work during the week to come in and take care of their tickets and warrants, he said. Essentially, it's an opportunity to compromise, Segura said. That means judges will work with defendants to figure out a payment schedule or, if a person has no money, assign community service at area organizations like Habitat for Humanity in lieu of payment, he said.
"We think it's a great idea," Segura said.
Those who think they might have a warrant out for their arrest can check the "case lookup" section of nmcourts.com. A Texas company will attempt to contact defendants by telephone or mail and let them know of the program, the news release states.
Segura said he hopes to get 20 percent to 30 percent of the 1,600 people with outstanding tickets and arrest warrants to come to the court.
Those interested must show up at the court by 10 a.m., though the program will last until noon, Segura said. For more information, call Cynthia Pacheco at 827-4721.
Contact Jason Auslander at 986-3076 or :jauslander@sfnewmexican.com.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the date that people should appear at Santa Fe County Magistrate Court to address warrant issues. The correction was applied to the story at 9:40 a.m. on Nov. 6.
- Home-price declines, job losses fuel rise in short sales, an alternative to foreclosures
- NM Supreme Court releases group jailed on contempt, charges not dropped
- Police: Men lured to knifepoint robbery
- 'SuperNanny' seeks frustrated New Mexico parents
- Local news in brief, Nov. 16
- PRC surveys: Agency hires 'political flunkies'
- Museum Hill Cafe to close
- Furloughs could stretch state holidays
- Siler Road Bridge, linking Agua Fría and West Alameda streets, officially opens today
- Audit: Suspect spending in school districts
advertisement
- JB Yelsky commented on
- Ambro A commented on
- P Orlando Baca commented on
- Truett Collins commented on
- Ambro A commented on
- Joe McNabb commented on
- Ambro A commented on
- Doreen Saiz-Adler commented on
You must login to make comments.
Register here for a free username and passwordClick on the link below to register for a free account. This is a new system and previous accounts are not transferred to this system. You'll be asked for your name and e-mail address. A confirmation e-mail with a password will be sent to you at the address you provide. Once you've logged into the system, you'll be able to view and contribute comments. Please be respectful to your fellow users and post under your own name. Send questions to webeditor@sfnewmexican.com
Comments (22)
What do you think? Add your two cents to the conversation by contributing your view on the news. Please, be respectful to the community and your fellow users and use your real name when posting. Inappropriate postings will be removed and your privileges to comment further might be suspended. If you'd prefer to submit a letter to the editor for possible inclusion in The New Mexican's print edition, visit our submissions page.