Fort Worth residents with a little legal housekeeping to tidy up should mark their calendars for Aug. 9. That Saturday, from 9 a.m. to noon, the Fort Worth Municipal Court is hosting a Court in the Community-Warrant Forgiveness event at William M. McDonald YMCA. It's for anyone with citations waiting to be addressed, and the court is ready to extend a hand. According to a release by the City of Fort Worth, attendees can show up without fear of arrest for their cases and will have the chance to resolve their outstanding cases, and may be eligible for alternatives such as community service or a reduction in their fine based on their ability to pay.
Up to 120 individuals will be able to quickly receive service on a first-come, first-served basis regarding Class C criminal cases, which include traffic, ordinance, and penal code violations. "I encourage anyone who has an outstanding citation with the Fort Worth Municipal Court to contact us immediately so we can provide options to move those cases to a final resolution," Court Director William Rumuly said in the City of Fort Worth's statement. Adding to the community-first initiative, the court assures it operates under a "Safe Harbor" approach, assuring residents can freely visit any Fort Worth Municipal Court location without the concern of getting unexpectedly detained.
Not just looking for warrant forgiveness, attendees can also take advantage of resources from community partners at the event. The Fort Worth Envision Center and Community Action Partners are set to offer aid with rental, utility, tuition, and job search. They've been cited for providing information as crucial as any legal counsel for those navigating the rough waters of everyday expenses. Goodwill North Central Texas will be available too, bringing with it employment opportunities and job-readiness training – at zero cost. And for those needing a hand with civil legal issues, Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas will have general civil intake, including family law and landlord/tenant cases. Interested parties can find more information by reaching out to the listed contacts.
