Time Running Out for Warrant Round Up Amnesty

TYLER � Today is the last day for Smith County residents to make payment arrangements for outstanding court costs and fines before facing arrest during the Great Texas Warrant Round Up. Smith County has joined forces with 300 other jurisdictions across Texas to participate in the largest joint warrant round up of this type in the state. Anyone with outstanding court costs and fines has until March 2 to arrange for payment before the warrant sweep begins. On March 2, officers will begin visiting homes, neighborhoods and places of work to arrest anyone who has not settled their debt with the county.

Smith County Judicial Compliance Supervisor Sheryl Keel says her office is receiving an average of 75-100 phone calls per day from Smith County citizens who want to make payment arrangements and avoid being picked up on March 2. �Save yourself the expense and embarrassment of being picked up during the warrant round up. Call the Smith County Collections Department and make arrangements to pay your outstanding fees today,� she said. Since the warrant round up amnesty period began on February 15, Smith County has collected approximately $11,000 in outstanding fines and closed about 40 cases.

Citizens are encouraged to take advantage of the grace period between February 15 and March 1, during which time they may resolve their case without penalty of arrest. Check to see if you have unpaid court costs or fines online at http://www.smith-county.com or by calling the Smith County Collections Department at 903-590-4620. Beginning March 2, the enforcement period of the warrant round up will begin and individuals will be arrested at their homes and places of work and brought to court to address their outstanding warrants before a judge.