Date: March 1, 2006Contact: Kay Gales, Municipal Court Director: KGales@wichita.gov: (316) 268-4523
The 2006 Amnesty Week Program, held February 13 – February 17, brought 2,208 citizens to do the right thing and clear their outstanding warrants. This is slightly higher than in 2003, when 2,113 individuals voluntarily came in. This year 2,440 warrants were cleared. Citizens saved $38,525 through waived warrant fees. Many citizens mailed-in payments to clear their warrants, bringing $51,020 by mail. Total collections for 2006 was $195,020 compared to $147,550 collected in 2003. "We were very pleased with these results," said Kay Gales, Municipal Court Director. "We talked to many people and heard how paying the fee in one lump sum was the biggest setback for taking care of tickets so we decided to extend a payment plan procedure used during Amnesty Week into a new policy for Municipal Court." Because paying in a lump sum was cited as the main issue for citizens not paying their fines, Municipal Court has made a policy change to allow citizens to make payments. In 2004, Municipal Court developed a Payment Plan Program for certain offenders after going before a judge. Municipal Court allowed the Payment Plan Program to be used during Amnesty Week. Of the individuals that took part in the Amnesty Program, nearly 50%, or 1,089 were placed on the Payment Plan. Citizens that receive a payable violation and cannot pay the full fee are encouraged to take advantage of this plan, rather than setting the citation for court or allowing time to pass and therefore a warrant to be issued for their arrest. In January, the Wichita City Council approved the return of the Amnesty Week Program at the request of local religious leaders who were promoting an initiative called "28 days of Peace" through February. The Amnesty Program was a collaborative effort with the faith-based community, Police Department and Municipal Court. The program granted forgiveness for all outstanding moving, parking, health, fire and central inspection warrants. Amnesty Anecdotes The City of Wichita Municipal Court employees have heard some interesting stories. Here are a few: Woman Arrives From Texas:She came to Wichita on a bus from Irving, Texas to take care of her "no proof of insurance" warrant, which had suspended her driver's license. The bus ride took 9 hours. She wanted to resolve the wanted, so she could "go on with her life." Man Arrives From Texas:He drove through the night from Mesquite, Texas to take care of a court-issued bench warrant. Bicyclists From Haysville:Despite cold temperatures, he rode a bike to clear a bicycle violation warrant. He rode back to Haysville in 3-degree weather. Happy Valentine's Day:A man drove from Hollywood, Calif. to see his mother for Valentine's Day. While here, he learned about his outstanding warrants and resolved it. Back to Top
The 2006 Amnesty Week Program, held February 13 – February 17, brought 2,208 citizens to do the right thing and clear their outstanding warrants. This is slightly higher than in 2003, when 2,113 individuals voluntarily came in. This year 2,440 warrants were cleared. Citizens saved $38,525 through waived warrant fees. Many citizens mailed-in payments to clear their warrants, bringing $51,020 by mail. Total collections for 2006 was $195,020 compared to $147,550 collected in 2003.
"We were very pleased with these results," said Kay Gales, Municipal Court Director. "We talked to many people and heard how paying the fee in one lump sum was the biggest setback for taking care of tickets so we decided to extend a payment plan procedure used during Amnesty Week into a new policy for Municipal Court."
Because paying in a lump sum was cited as the main issue for citizens not paying their fines, Municipal Court has made a policy change to allow citizens to make payments. In 2004, Municipal Court developed a Payment Plan Program for certain offenders after going before a judge. Municipal Court allowed the Payment Plan Program to be used during Amnesty Week. Of the individuals that took part in the Amnesty Program, nearly 50%, or 1,089 were placed on the Payment Plan. Citizens that receive a payable violation and cannot pay the full fee are encouraged to take advantage of this plan, rather than setting the citation for court or allowing time to pass and therefore a warrant to be issued for their arrest.
In January, the Wichita City Council approved the return of the Amnesty Week Program at the request of local religious leaders who were promoting an initiative called "28 days of Peace" through February. The Amnesty Program was a collaborative effort with the faith-based community, Police Department and Municipal Court. The program granted forgiveness for all outstanding moving, parking, health, fire and central inspection warrants.
Amnesty Anecdotes
The City of Wichita Municipal Court employees have heard some interesting stories. Here are a few:
Woman Arrives From Texas:She came to Wichita on a bus from Irving, Texas to take care of her "no proof of insurance" warrant, which had suspended her driver's license. The bus ride took 9 hours. She wanted to resolve the wanted, so she could "go on with her life."
Man Arrives From Texas:He drove through the night from Mesquite, Texas to take care of a court-issued bench warrant.
Bicyclists From Haysville:Despite cold temperatures, he rode a bike to clear a bicycle violation warrant. He rode back to Haysville in 3-degree weather.
Happy Valentine's Day:A man drove from Hollywood, Calif. to see his mother for Valentine's Day. While here, he learned about his outstanding warrants and resolved it.
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