The Importance of Being Legal

The last time I saw outside, the mist of Texas spring covered the grass. As I emptied the contents of my purse into the plastic container, I reminisced about the evening before. In a feeble attempt to get my affairs in order, I paid my utilities and made arrangements with a dear friend to care for the kids, in case I was jailed.

The tension in the courtroom was so thick you'd have to cut it with a sharp knife. When I put my name on the docket to see the judge, I thought of all the things that could go wrong. What if I'm arrested, instead of allowed to make payment arrangements? What about my kids? What if they get lost in the system? Here I am, been alive all these years and I'm about to be somebody's bi**h behind driving with a suspended license.

I had a warrant for my arrest for an unpaid ticket for driving under suspension. I had to turn myself in to prevent possibly being arrested at work. The level of fear was as if my picture was on a wanted dead or alive poster. The mere thought of an encounter with the justice system frightened me to no end.

Turning yourself in is one of the hardest things to do. Encounters with the justice system have always had dire consequences for African-Americans. People of color have a country's long history of increased chances of being stopped or otherwise coming in contact with police. In addition, Blacks are more likely to be incarcerated rather than be granted probation or deferred sentencing.

During my time on the lam, having a warrant for your arrest meant that you might be arrested at the most inconvenient time. Maybe lose your car and then your job. During this era of rampant, unaccounted for police killings, having an outstanding warrant for your arrest during a police encounter could have deadly consequences.

The tension in the courtroom was so thick you'd have to cut it with a sharp knife. When I put my name on the docket to see the judge, I thought of all the things that could go wrong. What if I'm arrested, instead of allowed to make payment arrangements? What about my kids? What if they get lost in the system? Here I am, been alive all these years and I'm about to be somebody's bi**h behind driving with a suspended license.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are plagued by misdemeanor warrants for their arrests as a result of unpaid traffic tickets and past due fines and court costs. Society's song about staying legal and within the law takes on a different tone when you don't have enough money to make rent and buy food for your family. Or when you can't afford to take off or risk losing your job behind going to court.

In some effort to ease this heavy burden JustasIam.Careers has put together this list of things you can do to resolve misdemeanor warrants for fines and court costs.

4 Ways To Fix Misdemeanor Warrants for Arrest

Traffic Ticket Amnesty Programs

Try contacting the police department that issued the ticket to see if they have a ticket amnesty program. Several cities at least once a year offer Amnesty Programs which allow people with traffic or parking tickets an opportunity setup payment arrangements or waive late fees without the risk of being arrested. Since the pandemic, some police departments allow you to make arrangement to pay on their website or over the phone.

If you have outstanding tickets in a city that offer amnesty programs, please try and take advantage. Many times, round-ups (physical contact & arrests) are conducted after the ticket amnesty period ends.

Adding Your Name to the Court Docket

If you have little or no income, are unable to work due to illness or have other special circumstances, contact the city court clerk and ask how you go about putting your name on the docket. You will be able to see the judge and explain you situation. There may be some relief available for your situation, like performing community service instead of paying the fines.

Expungement Programs

If you have tickets or past due court fines related to marijuana charges and marijuana has been legalized in your state, check with the city and state to see if there are any expungement opportunities available to you. If the charge is expunged from your record, you should not have to pay court fines related to the charge.

Time for Jail in Exchange for Cost of Ticket

If you've ever been in jail, you know that each day you spend in jail your receive credit. If you have the time available you can sit in jail in exchange for the cost of your ticket. Sitting in jail, instead of paying money for the cost of the ticket is still an option.

If you've recently served a prison term and have tickets that have gone to warrant while you were incarcerated, you can petition the court and request your time served in prison be used as credit, against your traffic tickets. This option is not publicly published. To see if this is available, you will need to contact the clerk of the court that issued the tickets.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not contain, suggest or attempt to provide legal advice.