Great Texas Warrant Round-Up Begins March 1

TYLER — Smith County is combining forces with 320 other jurisdictions across Texas to participate in what’s termed the largest joint warrant round-up of this type in the state. Anyone with outstanding court costs and fines has until March 1 to arrange for payment before the warrant sweep begins. On March 1, officers will begin visiting homes, neighborhoods and places of work to arrest anyone who has not settled his or her debt with the county.

According to a county news release, more than 1,300 bright yellow notices were mailed out this week to individuals with active warrants for delinquent fees in Smith County. To avoid arrest for an outstanding warrant, officials say it is important to call or visit the Smith County Collections Department before March 1. Individuals who come to the Collections Department prepared to pay their debt in full, before March 1, will not be arrested.

�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,� Sheryl Keel, Smith County Judicial Compliance Supervisor, said.

The Smith County courts have hundreds of active warrants they are seeking to clear. County officials are encouraging defendants to take advantage of the options available to settle outstanding warrants immediately. No amnesty is being offered in conjunction with the Round-Up effort. 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.

Once the arrest period begins on March 1, officials say officers will aggressively target persons on the warrant list, and arrests can take place at any location, including the defendant�s home, school or workplace. Smith County closed more than 400 cases and collected $80,000 in delinquent court fees during last year�s Great Texas Warrant Round-Up.

For more information about warrants or citations visit the Smith County website or contact the Smith County Collections Department at 903-590-4620. Smith County�s 2014 Warrant Round-Up is a joint effort of the Smith County Collections Department and the law firm of Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, L.L.P.