Clinic Scheduled for Those with Failure to Appear Warrants in Northwest Arkansas
A special clinic is set to help individuals with outstanding failure to appear warrants in Washington County, Northwest Arkansas. This clinic provides a unique opportunity for people to address their warrants without the presence of law enforcement personnel.
The clinic is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. Attendees can expect to have access to public defenders and pro bono attorneys who will assist them in discussing their cases and arranging new court dates. Additionally, interpreters in Spanish and Marshallese will be available to help those who may require language support.
This event marks yet another step in the ongoing effort to reduce overcrowding at the Washington County Detention Center and streamline the criminal justice process. By offering an environment devoid of law enforcement presence, participants can engage in constructive conversations about their warrants without fear of immediate arrest.
Such clinics have had a positive impact in the past. The initial clinic, held in January 2022, resulted in 20 people resolving their cases through plea agreements. Other clinics have also seen a significant number of people resolving or rescheduling their cases, contributing to the reduction of court backlogs and detention center crowding.
To ensure that this clinic is accessible to as many people as possible, registration is preferred but not mandatory. Those interested in attending can call the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office or register online. Furthermore, organizers have arranged for food as well as additional resources to support participants’ broader needs, including voter registration and access to health care and education opportunities.
The initiative to address failure to appear warrants is part of a larger strategy to find non-traditional solutions to mitigate the issues plaguing the criminal justice system. It underscores the county’s commitment to exploring comprehensive and humane solutions to tackle problems caused by overcrowding and inefficiencies in the legal process.
