DELAWARE- Many people headed to Dover on Friday with the hopes of resolving an outstanding warrant.
The Kent County Courthouse saw about 150 individuals come and go according to court officials. Although the number of settled cases is yet to be determined.
Corie Priest with the Department of Justice said most Delawareans who come to Safe Surrender events have warrants resulting from issues like failure to appear, unpaid fines, traffic violations, child support and low-level misdemeanors.
"There is a lot of angst having a criminal case hanging over your head," Priest said, noting how looming legal troubles can limit access to employment, housing and other basic needs.
Kent County public defender, Anthony Capone, said those who take this step are often deserving of a second chance. "The reality of the situation is they're leading law abiding lives that are not bringing them into contact with police."
Kevin Wilson, Deputy Chief Magistrate of the Justice of the Peace Court, emphasized that Safe Surrender aims to alleviate the fear of potential arrest. "A lot of folks with warrants are hesitant to go to an individual court because they are unsure of what will happen when they do."
Court officials said the most recent Safe Surrender in New Castle County in May 2023 allowed more than 800 resolved cases.
"The one prior to that was done in 2007 and it is not something that is done all the time because it's labor intensive to get these things prepared," Wilson said.
"I can't tell you we are going to have another next year but we are going to look at how this went and what we can do to make this work for the citizens of Delaware."