Gadsden magistrate explains court services, youthful-offender sealing and annual amnesty day

Gadsden City — Shannon Veil, a magistrate in Gadsden City’s court system, outlined the court’s routine services and programs during a short "Meet the Staff" interview produced by the mayor’s office.

Veil said the programs aim to reduce long-term consequences from minor infractions and to guide residents through warrants, bonds and court procedures.

"We do actually offer a youthful offender status and that's gonna be for the young ones that are 21 and younger," Veil said, describing an option for first-time offenders age 21 and under. "And what that means is is we're gonna send it to Aaliyah in Montgomery and their case will be sealed and no one will ever know they've ever been arrested." Veil said the youthful-offender option applies when the case is a first offense and meets the program’s eligibility requirements.

Veil described other routine services: the court offers online defensive-driving classes available 24/7 for people cited for speeding, stop-sign or similar traffic infractions; magistrates handle traffic tickets and warrants, including failures to appear; and magistrates sign cash, surety and OR bonds.

"We can help them guide them on a warrant," Veil said, explaining the court’s role in advising residents about outstanding warrants. She said magistrates must complete training in Montgomery to serve in their role and that five magistrates serve in the court.

Veil also described the court’s annual amnesty program: "Every March, we offer amnesty," she said. She said the program lets residents with warrants turn themselves in without going to jail and that the judge may remit half of fines and fees; Veil gave an example that some people received a roughly $2,500 credit in court during a recent amnesty. She added that residents can call the court in February because the amnesty date is usually set by then.

Veil noted one limitation: pretrial-diversion cases are not eligible for the amnesty program and, she said, a case must be adjudicated before some relief options apply.

The interview was hosted by John Moore of the mayor’s office as part of the mayor’s "Meet the Staff" series that introduces city employees and their duties. Veil has worked for the city since 2008 and described the work as varied and, at times, intense; she recounted a courthouse incident where officers subdued a person who tried to flee.

Residents seeking more information about the youthful-offender option, the amnesty day or defensive-driving classes were directed to contact the Gadsden City court office for dates and eligibility details.