Perla Cortez EDINBURG – The Edinburg Municipal Court recently extended the Court Amnesty program until the end of April because of the popularity and heavy influence in the community it received, according to court administrator.
The program aims to help residents pay off Class C misdemeanor offences by either clearing the fines or creating a payment plan to pay off the debt.
Maribel Velasquez, Edinburg Municipal Court administrator, said an individual may schedule an appointment with the judge to discuss the number of fines that need to be paid.
“During the amnesty period, we waive the failure to appear or the violated promise to appear, we eliminate, or we dismiss that offense and then all they pay is just the original offense,” Velazquez said.
The timing of the waiving process varies depending on the judge’s availability and if the individual brings the proper documentation needed for the court, such as a copy of the person’s driver license, proof of income or proof of residence.
Velasquez said the court has 15 years’ worth of warrants that residents have not paid off.
Regardless of when the offense took place, Hector Bustos Jr., Edinburg Municipal Court judge, said individuals who attend the program will get their court fees eliminated, however the waiving of the fines will depend on the case.
“We’re not here to punish anybody,” Bustos said. “If anything, were here to facilitate a resolution to a problem one may have.”
The Edinburg Municipal Court will host a mobile court day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at El Tule located at 702 S veterans’ Blvd. in Edinburg.
The mobile court day will provide an opportunity for individuals who cannot make it during the amnesty programs closure hours.
