People with outstanding arrest warrants in Gig Harbor are getting a holiday gift from the city's municipal court — amnesty.
For the month of December, the will grant amnesty to any person who is the subject of an outstanding misdemeanor arrest warrant. But they must visit the court clerk’s office in person to schedule a hearing to quash their warrant without fee or risk of being sent to jail at that time.
The program, available only during the month of December, is aimed at clearing the backlog of approximately 300 active arrest warrants against about 230 individuals for everything from DUI's to theft. It also gives misdemeanor defendants an opportunity to easily clear their court matters.
Ordinarily, a person wanting to quash a warrant must pay a $50 administrative fee to schedule their hearing. Under the amnesty program this fee is waived. The subject of the warrant can simply present themselves during business hours at the court to schedule a follow-up hearing to address their case.
“The administrative fee is sometimes an obstacle for people who want to do the right thing and turn themselves in,” said Court Administrator Stacy Colberg. “This program removes the monetary burden and the threat of going to jail prior to their case being heard.”
A list of outstanding arrest warrants is available on the City of Gig Harbor website under the court section at www.cityofgigharbor.net.
The Gig Harbor Municipal Court is located in the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3510 Grandview Street. Business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5: 00 p.m. Warrant quash hearings can only be scheduled in person. Hearings cannot be scheduled by phone.
For more information, contact Court Administrator Stacy Colberg at (253) 851-7808.
