People with non-violent misdemeanor warrants may be able to resolve their cases without jail time through a program offered by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
The program is called Operation Second Chance. Starting Dec. 1 until the end of the month, anyone with a non-violent misdemeanor criminal warrant can turn themselves into any Santa Clara law enforcement agency to receive a citation with a new court date, rather than being booked into county jail, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
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Most misdemeanor warrants can qualify for the program, regardless of bail amount. Certain warrants that aren’t eligible for this program include: felony warrants; warrants marked “No Cite and Release;” any warrant involving violence; any warrant involving a firearm; any warrant involving resisting arrest; and any warrant involving giving false information to a peace officer. This year, the program was changed to exclude warrants marked “No Cite and Release” from eligibility.
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The Sheriff’s Office still encouraged people with ineligible warrants to turn themselves in and settle the matter in court.
The press release stated that Operation Second Chance has allowed more than 3,500 people to resolve their warrants without jail time from 2007 to 2017. It was unclear Tuesday if the program was offered between 2018 and 2023.
For information about dates, times and locations for interested people to self-surrender to authorities, go to sheriff.santaclaracounty.gov.