Findlay court offers 'Safe Surrender Day'

Findlay Municipal Court will hold its fourth annual Safe Surrender Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 7. The event is targeted toward individuals who have active bench warrants through the municipal court. Those who report to the court for the event will not be arrested. Instead, the warrant will be both lifted and recalled. Candace Griffith, a probation officer with the municipal court, said the event is the judges' way of reaching out to people who are looking to make positive changes in their lives. A press release for the event listed what individuals can expect when they show up. For instance, an individual who failed to attend a court hearing will be seen by the judge, magistrate or court staff that day. Other instances include: • Individuals who failed to perform community service will be reassigned to a work location. • Individuals who missed a community service contempt hearing will have the hearing rescheduled to allow the person time to complete the community service. • Individuals who did not complete counseling for mental health or substance abuse issues will have their appointments rescheduled. • Individuals who did not attend a status conference will meet with a magistrate or court staff to review their financial ability to pay outstanding fines and to establish a new payment plan. • Individuals who did not report to serve a jail sentence will be issued a new date to report. The event does not cover warrants through the Hancock County Common Pleas Court or in other counties. This means that anyone who shows up with a warrant through anything other than the municipal court will be arrested. The 2020 Safe Surrender Day helped to clear 120 bench warrants from 86 individuals. "We would love to see more people come (to the event)," said Griffith. "We don't know why more people don't." Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins will also be accepted. Masks are also preferred. "We would like for people to schedule ahead so we know how many are coming," said Griffith. But no person who shows up will be turned away, and people will be processed as safely as possible, she said. To schedule an appointment, call the municipal court at 419-424-7141. Your call will be forwarded to the relevant office. Individuals who are unsure if they have an outstanding bench warrant can view a list of active municipal court warrants at https://xfoien2k.findlayohio.com/Warrants/Active . As of Friday afternoon, 2768 active warrants were listed online.