Better Family Life estimates that about 14,000 people participated in this year’s amnesty project for misdemeanor warrants, including – for the first time – warrants for child support violations.
The event was held three days at three different St. Louis Community College campuses, each event lasting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. BFL Vice President James Clark said the program helps non-violent offenders avoid jail time and removes barriers that prevent people from getting jobs, while assisting municipalities to collect revenue due to them by law.
“Amnesty is a win-win all the way around,” Clark said.
“The citizens win, the municipalities win because they are able to clear up a lot of cases and they have access to a revenue stream that comes in almost a lump sum, then the St. Louis economy wins because you now have people who can enter the workforce.”
Adrian Robinson, BFL amnesty project volunteer, helped to make participants feel comfortable.
“Hey, everyone, welcome to the warrant party, where you need a warrant to get in,” Robinson greeted people.
“I get to keep the people mellow,” he explained. “I come out here and crack some jokes and give people some information before they get in.”
At noon on Saturday on the Forest Park campus, there was a growing line of participants waiting for the program to resume after BFL volunteers took a short lunch break. Robinson remained and stood outside with them.
He explained why this is his third year volunteering with the amnesty project.
“You help people get peace of mind,” Robinson said. “Not having to look over your shoulder to your rearview mirror, it’s a breath of fresh air.”
Robinson knows from personal experience. Several years ago, he was pulled over while there was traffic warrant out for his arrest.
“I got arrested, was locked up for a week and I lost my job,” Robinson said.
Robinson now helps other people to avoid the experience he had.
People with misdemeanor warrants received a voucher to take to the local municipality holding the warrant against them. Citizens will then pay a $100 fee for the warrant to be lifted and to set a new court date. This process also helps save participating citizens’ money by consolidating outstanding fees, given the fragmented nature of the region’s governance structure.
“If a person has warrants in three municipalities you would be looking at a $300 bond in each municipality, and in each municipality you could easily spend three nights in jail,” Clark said. “So you’re looking at, on the minimal end, $900 and nine nights in jail. Through amnesty, it would be $100 and no jail time.”
While the 2013 amnesty project for misdemeanor warrants is concluded, a new addition to the annual event this year applies to child support warrants, which continues through August. Child support amnesty will be offered at the new BFL Cultural Center, 5415 Page Blvd., on Saturday, August 17; Wednesday, August 21; and Saturday, August 31.
Clark said the program is intended for parents who fell behind on child support and “want to do the right thing.”
“Their lives are derailed because they have an outstanding child support warrant, which usually results in extended jail stay, which results in loss of employment and in some cases loss of transportation and loss of housing,” Clark said.
The process for child support amnesty is similar to the process for misdemeanor warrants. Participants must show up to the BFL Cultural Center to receive a voucher to take to court. Once at court, the participant will need to pay a $500 fee and set a new court date.
This year, 54 local municipalities participated in the amnesty project. Clark said BFL is always looking for ways to expand, including possibly having municipalities in Kansas City participate in years to come.
“While we look to expand,” Clark said, “we don’t want growth to break down the core focus: the thousands of people in the St. Louis metropolitan area.”
