Miller County offering amnesty for outstanding warrants, fines

An amnesty program has been announced in Miller County for individuals with outstanding failure to appear or contempt warrants.
The Texarkana, Ark., District Court and Miller County District Court will grant amnesty Feb. 1 through March 31. The court will waive the warrant fee and jail time if it receives full payment for these warrants, according to a press release from Miller County District Judge Wren Autrey.
Autrey has added a new opportunity for individuals with nonviolent charges that have had three or more contempt warrants to clear these warrants by paying 50 percent of the amount owed. Many of the existing warrants stem from unresolved traffic violations dating back as many as five years which have since accrued fees and costs in addition to the original fine.
Officers will not arrest anyone who appears at the Bi-State Justice Building or Miller County Correctional Facility to pay these fines.
If in doubt, contact the probation department at 903-798-3243 or district court clerk at 903-798-3017. To contact the Miller County district court, call the probation department at 870-773-2971 or district court clerk at 870-772-2780.
The amnesty program allows those sought on warrants to avoid the embarrassment and inconvenience of being arrested, to avoid being assessed additional court costs of $350 and to resolve a case entirely, chief probation officer Debbie Nolte said.
"These individuals have had their driving privilege suspended and clearing these fines will also enable them to regain a valid driver's license," Nolte said. "With income tax returns coming in, it is a great time for people to take advantage of this opportunity."