AMNESTY PROGRAMS & WARRANT ROUNDUP 2015 GCAT Conference Austin Don McKinley, Owner/Founder - N3CS, LLC. Former Austin Municipal Court Manager ACA

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1 AMNESTY PROGRAMS & WARRANT ROUNDUP 2015 GCAT Conference Austin Don McKinley, Owner/Founder - N3CS, LLC. Former Austin Municipal Court Manager ACA International Certified Professional Collections Specialist 1

2 Types of Amnesty You can look at Amnesty two ways: 1) Financial incentive based; and, 2) Freedom incentive based (i.e., the opportunity not to go to jail). 2

3 Amnesty Goals Dispose of outstanding cases Enhance compliance for court orders Increase court revenues Clear outstanding warrants Kick off a new collection program or effort Promote respect for the system 3

4 Warrant Roundup (WRU) No Financial Incentive amnesty given. Grace period extended prior to the start date of the warrant roundup. Enforcement of the warrant is retained as a collections tool. The Larger the Better Most effective If Media Driven 4

5 Roundup Goals Dispose of outstanding cases Enhance compliance for court orders Increase court revenues Clear outstanding warrants Kick off a new collection program or effort Promote respect for the system 5

6 City Marshals, Warrant Officers, or Law Enforcement Officers Arrest persons with outstanding warrants Arrests are made based on worksheet information, selfinitiated activity and referrals from other agencies Process prisoners brought to Court Take non-cash payments in the field? Authorize arrestee to call Court to take credit card payments? Leave door hangers if persons not at home* 6

7 Amnesty or WRU Timing Coordination between law enforcement and court Coordination with other entities Defendant s ability to pay Tax returns First/last of month Spring break Coordinate with budget process Revenue Expenses 7

Amnesty or WRU Parties Need single point of contact Include Court Judge(s), Prosecutor(s), Clerk(s) Law Enforcement Police, Sheriff, Marshals, Constables, Reserves,

8 Amnesty or WRU Parties Need single point of contact Include Court Judge(s), Prosecutor(s), Clerk(s) Law Enforcement Police, Sheriff, Marshals, Constables, Reserves, Cadets, ISD, College Other City Entities Finance, City Manager, City Council, Law Dept. Other Outside Entities Other jurisdictions, jail, media, collection agency, other 8

9 WRU Incentives Waive warrant fee? What incentives? Financial based Dismiss FTA or VPTA Reduce fine (but not court costs, fees) Freedom based Period of time where won t make arrests while persons voluntarily handling warrants Other? 9

10 WRU Focus - Voluntary Compliance Easiest way to get a warrant served 92% of Austin s large round up Phone calls Notices, no matter how many sent before Advertising 10

11 WRU Notices or Post Cards Notices very effective* Self, collection agency, other Return envelopes Recommend 2 weeks in advance Different design from other notices Send for all warrants (don t exclude because of distance) Returned mailer handling (bad addresses) Content Can defendants call? Hours (extended for round up?) How to take care of warrant checks, credit cards, etc. Night deposit, IVR or Internet payments 11

12 Warrant Round Up vs Amnesty Amnesty Concentrated effort to enforce warrants Incentive(s) offered Financial based Freedom based *Caution on using Amnesty programs Warrant Round Up Concentrated effort to enforce warrants No incentive(s) other than not getting arrested when event starts 12

13 Getting Started Discover your warrant inventory in your court. Get Law Enforcement involvement and commitment. Input and Support from your Judge. Select a date and advertise your kickoff! Based on court experience, the first Saturday in March works best (tax refund time). 13

14 Getting Started (continued) Use of press media (TV, Newspapers, Radio including: Spanish print media and TV and Radio Stations). Mass mailing campaign. Send out warrant notices or postcards 2-3 weeks prior to your warrant roundup start. Notices to defendant makes roundup personal. Include: amount due, payment in full expected or some resolution is expected immediately, the date of the warrant roundup. 14

15 WRU Media and Advertising Notices Press conference* News releases* Paid ads Cable television* WEB site and/or IVR (city and/or court) Other city notices (water bills, electrical bills) Media Be read for questions Provide statistics Allowed in court? Allow ride outs on arrest day? 15

16 WRU Other Considerations Multi-jurisdictional event (if so, how will it be done)? Extended Court hours (before, during)? Open for walk-in traffic on day of event? Arrestees where to take: court, jail, other If in front of Judge, holding area at court? If go to jail, how to remand? How to handle out of county arrestees Special staffing for extended hours, phones, walkins, etc. Who will handle media? 16

17 WRU Other Considerations Special staffing for extended hours, phones, walk-ins, etc. Who will handle media? Special judicial orders for events? Court: Partial payments, take checks, credit for time serviced, etc. Law Enforcement: Payments in field, Towing vehicles, etc. Costs of event and who will pay? Notices, paid advertising, etc. (if any) Personnel paid overtime or compensatory time (judge) Supplies Overhead extra security, utilities if keep building open, etc. Keeping and reporting statistics 17

18 Coordinator WRU Follow-Up Statistics (compared to usual) Number warrants served - terminated, cancelled Number of $ received Credits - time served, waivers, etc. Costs actual (& compared to revenue) Reports City Manager City Council Possibly media Participants Reward / recognize employees 18

19 Evaluation and Review Develop a Method for Measuring Your Results. Track Your Results. Develop continuing partnerships. Objectively Examine the Operation. Repair, Replace, or Discard Anything that Does Not Produce the Desired Results. Consistently Look for Ways to Improve for next year or next roundup campaign. Don t Be Afraid to Ask for Help. 19

20 Questions & Contact Information Thank you for your participation! Contact: Don McKinley Owner/Founder N3CS, LLC

Huber Inmate Rules. Purpose. General Information

Huber Inmate Rules. Purpose. General Information Huber Inmate Rules Important Note: The rules and details on this document are subject to change at anytime without notice! Contact numbers for all jail and Huber inmate questions. Phone: (608) 723-6372