LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Starting this month, those who have been charged with low-level nonviolent crimes in Jefferson County and who missed a court date, may be able to sign up for “amnesty dockets” from June 7-9.
It's an effort from the County Attorney’s office, public officials and community partners, according to the city.
What You Need To Know
- Jefferson County has launched a bench warrant amnesty program
- Some defendants may be able to reschedule missed court dates for June 7, 8 or 9
- The deadline to sign up is May 31
- Violent offenses are not eligible under the program
"What that means is if you have an active bench warrant for nonviolent offenses you can get your case put on the docket, show up in person and that bench warrant will be set aside," said Kungu Njuguna, policy strategist for the ACLU of Kentucky.
Cases will be screened to see which ones qualify.
The program does not include:
- Violent misdemeanors or violent Class D felonies
- Domestic violence offenses
- Cases involving guns
- Class A, B or C felonies
Since November, the Louisville jail has reported the deaths of eight people who had been in the custody of Metro Corrections and investigations have been ongoing.
A group of people and organizations concerned about the jail have been meeting weekly, Njuguna said.
The amnesty program could keep many people out of jail, he said.
"This is important because people are dying in our jail and we have to stop arresting people on petty warrants and putting them in a place where they may die.'
The group of Metro Corrections stakeholders will be meeting with the new jail director to go over their concerns this week, according to Njuguna.
Anyone interested in the amnesty program must sign up online or at the Hall of Justice by May 31.