Amnesty Project waives thousands of warrants

By: Kasey Joyce

KSDK-- Thousands of people will no longer have to worry about their overdue parking tickets and arrest warrants anymore, thanks to an amnesty program.

More than 10,000 people took part in the event today. The program ran from 8 to 3 at Harris Stowe State University.

By 11AM, the lines were wrapped around the campus. The program was for anyone with an outstanding misdemeanor warrant or parking ticket violation. In order to request amnesty, they attended a 45-minute workshop at Harris Stowe.

Afterwards, they received a voucher that they can take to court to get their warrants removed. The vouchers are good from Monday through Wednesday.

More than 30 municipalities participated in the program. Better family life sponsored the program. Organizer James Clark says they didn't turn anyone away.

This is really a non-threatening way for them to engage the courts without the fear of being arrested," Clark said. "Too often individuals deal with these issues after they've been arrested. Better Family Life, we met with several judges, several mayors, several police chiefs and they endorsed the whole amnesty project. "

Even with the vouchers, amnesty day participants still have to pay any related court costs and fees.

Here's a list of the participating communities:

St. Louis
St. Louis County
Wellston
Overland
Cool Valley
Black Jack
Normandy
Velda City
Country Club Hills
Maryland Heights
Ladue
Pagedale
University City
Northwoods
St. Ann
Beverly Hills
Jennings
Hazelwood
Berkely
Bel-Nor
Bellerive