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Denison council adopts guidelines for warrant-amnesty program
Summary
The Denison City Council unanimously approved guidelines for a three-week warrant-amnesty program that allows residents with active warrants to resolve cases without arrest by donating canned goods for reduced fines; the court official said the program collected about 2,500 items last year.
The Denison City Council on Feb. 2 approved a resolution adopting guidelines for a warrant-amnesty program ahead of the 2026 warrant roundup.
The program, described at the meeting by a court official who said they oversee the municipal court, offers a three-week "safe harbor" during which people with active warrants may come to court without being arrested to resolve their warrants. Under the guidelines, donors may give 10 canned food items to receive $75 off fines or 20 items to receive $125 off fines; the official said the court collected about 2,500 items from the program last year.
"This is a program we started about 4 years ago," the court official said. "They're not arrested for coming to resolve their warrants." The official added, "We're the only court in the state of Texas that does this program." The council did not dispute those statements at the meeting.
Councilman Thomas moved to approve the resolution; Councilman Massey seconded the motion. The mayor announced the motion carried unanimously.
The action was taken during the consent-agenda portion of the meeting after councilmembers requested the item be discussed separately so the community would be aware of the program and its rules. The resolution adopted the program guidelines; the motion and unanimous vote concluded the council's formal action on the item.
