2016 Great Texas Warrant Roundup starts this weekend

Local law enforcement agencies are working hard this weekend to get those with outstanding warrants to take care of their fines before they are thrown in jail.

Travis County Constables started their warrant round up early Saturday morning. More than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state join in on the Great Texas Warrant Roundup. Most of the warrants they are working to clear are unpaid traffic tickets, which are Class C Misdemeanors. Chief Deputy Manuel Jimenez is a Constable for Travis County Precinct 4 “The push is to clear the majority of those out, and help people make arrangements, and get them taken care of.”

Chief Deputy Jimenez said they work on more than 4,000 warrants a year, and have a goal of clearing out at least 5-hundred in this roundup. They are hoping those with warrants come forward on their own. “We really don't want to go to people’s house and go arrest them. We would rather get it taken care of, and make arrangements to take care of it here at the precinct, or over the phone.”

Fox 7 went along with deputies Saturday morning as they went looking for those with outstanding warrants. A couple of them ended up getting arrested. If you know you have a warrant, and voluntarily come to the Austin Municipal Court to handle your case you will not be arrested by the court. You can also avoid the embarrassment and expense of an arrest. “Of course right now if somebody calls our office, or comes into our precinct, then they will be able to take care of those without getting arrested,” Chief Deputy Jimenez said.

If you don’t have the money, don't let that stop you from trying to get your warrants taken care of. Chief Deputy Jimenez said you can post a bond, talk to a judge, and they will try to work things out. He said the one thing not to do, is nothing. “Take care of your warrants and make arrangements to get them taken care of so you don't have to get arrested,” he said.

You can click here for more information. http://www.austintexas.gov/department/warrant-roundup