City amnesty program off to good start
The city's municipal court amnesty program -- a one-time chance for area scofflaws to start afresh by paying overdue fines and avoiding jail time -- got off to a good start this week despite the holiday, according to city officials.
Torrential rains and closure of city offices for the Fourth of July holiday didn't stop some defendants from taking advantage of the city's Amnesty Program, netting a first time weekly total of $35,500, and more than 16,000 hits to the city's website, according to city spokesperson Barbara Drummond.
Mayor Sam Jones launched the program July 2, waiving municipal arrest warrants on thousands of defendants who failed to pay outstanding misdemeanor fines. The municipal arrest warrant waiver extends to July 31.
"We are pleased with the collection thus far," said Jones. "We really didn't expect a large collection for the first week, due to the holiday. However, this is rather promising. It is our hope that other defendants will take advantage of this opportunity."
The Amnesty Program is an opportunity for defendants owing outstanding fines on municipal warrants to avoid jail. Under the program, defendants must pay the full amount, which includes court costs City officials are urging defendants to go to the city's website at www.cityofmobile.org to obtain outstanding fine amounts.
In August, according to city officials, "an aggressive effort,' including more safety checkpoints, will be launched to apprehend defendants who did not take advantage of the amnesty period.
"When they are caught after July, we're taking them to jail," said Police Chief Phillip Garrett.
Payments can be made by mailing a money order or cashier's check to:
- District Attorney's Office, 205 Government Street, Second Floor, North Tower, Mobile, Al 36644; (money orders should be made out to the City of Mobile);
Defendants can drop off payments at the Mobile Police Department headquarters, 2460 Government Blvd.; First Precinct, 850 Virginia St.; Second Precinct, 3725 Airport Blvd.; Third Precinct, 2165 St. Stephens Rd.; and Fourth Precinct, 4712 Moffett Rd.
