May 19, 2017:
Warrant Forgiveness Day: This is not a trap
"This is not a setup for mass arrest," said Jana Kooren, public education and communications director for the Minnesota ACLU, one of the groups organizing the event. Go to the Star Tribune story.
Pre-registration is now closed, but interested participants can still walk-in to the event without being registered.
Hennepin County Justice Partners to Hold “Warrant Forgiveness Day” in Minneapolis on May 20
On Saturday, May 20, 2017, the Hennepin County criminal justice community is sponsoring Warrant Forgiveness Day at the Sabathani Community Center, 310 East 38th Street, Minneapolis. The event will offer anyone with an outstanding misdemeanor Hennepin County arrest warrant an opportunity to meet with justice system officials and take steps to resolve their cases. Walk-ins and appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants in this one-day event have the opportunity to resolve their cases after meeting with a public defender and a prosecutor. Settlements for eligible misdemeanor warrants, without the risk of being arrested, may include:
- doing community service work at or near the event,
- getting time to pay a fine, or
- scheduling a court date in the future to handle or dispute the case.
By participating in this event, warrants will be cleared or resolved on the same day.
Assistant Chief Judge and Criminal Presiding Judge Toddrick Barnette explained, “This event is a collaboration of Hennepin criminal justice partners and community organizations. The event, in conjunction with other criminal justice initiatives, is making changes to lessen the social and personal impact on individuals who don’t pose a public safety risk, but missed a court date for a low level misdemeanor offense. It costs about $132 a day to keep someone at the jail. We know that being detained in jail can have a negative impact on childcare, housing, and employment. This event will save taxpayers money by allowing people who pose no risk to public safety to clear a warrant without being detained. I think taxpayers and participants in this event will appreciate the partnership between the community and the criminal justice partners.”
Those interested in the event may call Hennepin County District Court at (612) 348-2040 to verify their warrant status and to learn more about the event.
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, 4th District, said, “This is a great opportunity for people to clear their record and move forward. I encourage people to take advantage of this chance.”
In addition to resolving warrants, a resource fair featuring representatives from Catholic Charities, Amicus, the American Indian Center, the Expungement Clinic, the Legal Rights Center, MN Dept. of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS-DVS), the Driver Diversion Program, probation, and others will provide help to participants with other concerns.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Minneapolis Criminal Justice Co-Chair Raj Setheraju commented, “The forgiveness project allows us as a relational community to move people one step closer to the beloved nation Dr. King invoked in his work and wisdom.”
The event is a collaboration between the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota, Driver Diversion Program/Diversion Solutions, Hennepin County District Court, the Hennepin County Public Defender’s Office, the Hennepin Suburban Prosecutors Group, the Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office, DPS-DVS, Sabathani Community Center, and the United Way.
May 10, 2017
Ten days until the warrant event. Help us advertise using this Facebook Post!

May 2, 2017: Interpreters at Warrant Event
There will be Spanish, Somali, and Hmong interpreters on site to help translate. Arrangements can also be made for other languages. The event poster is now available in Hmong.
April 29, 2017: Translated Posters Added
Spanish and Somali posters have been added to the marketing materials section.
April 11, 2017: Registration Open
Registration for the event has been launched!
Register today to make your case go faster on the day of the event.