NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Thousands of people have been given a second chance to turn themselves in for booking after failing to do so when originally scheduled.
The "Failure to be Booked Self-Surrender" program has been conducted each year, and allows people who have committed minor offenses - but failed be booked – a chance to turn themselves in without facing additional warrants and citations.
Officials with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said the program was available to over 5,600 people with "failure to be booked warrants." These people avoided physical arrest when they signed their citations and promised to report for their first court appearance, but neglected to show up.
Offenses included driving without a license, criminal trespassing, drug possession and other misdemeanor crimes.
Violators who failed to show up for court were issued additional warrants. Any of these people who report to the Justice A.A. Birch Building Friday or Saturday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. will have the additional warrant recalled.
Defendants should go to the Warrants Division window outside the Night Court at 408 2nd Avenue in downtown Nashville.
Judges have arranged their schedules to be in court and hear as many of the original cases as possible.
Agencies taking part in the program included the Metro Police, General Sessions Court, District Attorney's Office, Public Defenders' Office, Criminal Court Clerk and Davidson County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said the program cuts down the numbers of outstanding arrest warrants and makes police officers available for other duties.
Police in Davidson County issued nearly 43,000 misdemeanor citations in 2011. They said most people complied with the booking requirements.
Officials said that sixteen people took advantage of the program on Friday. The final day of the Self-Surrender Program is Saturday, May 5th from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit police.nashville.gov for a list of outstanding warrants.
