Multiple courts in the Front Range are participating in a “Fresh Start Warrant Forgiveness Event” for eligible misdemeanor offenses early next month. The Boulder County Justice Center is hosting the event on Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1777 6th Street, in Boulder. Eligible participants will not be arrested and will have the opportunity to speak with an attorney as well as a chance to resolve the case or set a new court date.
There are several misdemeanor charges that are not eligible for the forgiveness program. The ineligible offenses are unlawful sexual contact, third-degree assault, domestic violence, child abuse, menacing, indecent exposure, invasion of privacy, bias-motivated crimes, violation of a protection order, or a Victim Rights Act crime. Felony offenses are also not eligible for this forgiveness program.
Other participating courts include Adams County, Arapahoe County, Boulder County, Boulder Municipal, Denver District Court, Jefferson County, and Pueblo County.
Boulder County has been holding these events as often as twice per year since 2019. Eligible individuals are typically sent a letter in the mail notifying them of the event. This is not a case of broad amnesty, but a chance for the courts to resolve stagnant court cases as if a warrant was never issued.
Officials emphasize that qualified participating individuals in the forgiveness program will not be arrested. This is a way to clear a backlog of non-violent misdemeanor crimes to free up resources for more serious offenses.
