The Fresh Start Relief for Outstanding Warrants event is happening from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m on June 1 at the Jefferson County Courthouse and Administration Building.
The Jefferson County website and social media accounts say that it’s an opportunity to “clear” active low-level warrants. However, that still leaves some questions about the program and what people can expect.
Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office Director of Public Affairs Brionna Boatright answered some questions about the event.
A note on the term “cleared”
Boatright also clarified what the program means by “clearing” the warrants.
“When we say that warrants are ‘cleared,’ it just means that individuals are given an opportunity to move toward a resolution in their case by setting a new court date, re-engaging in probation, enrolling in Pathways (Diversion Program), or resolve their case entirely, for eligible individuals to take accountability for prior mistakes without being arrested,” Boatright explained.
“For instance, if an individual has a non-DUI traffic warrant for No Proof of Insurance, they can come to Fresh Start, present proof of insurance, and have their case dismissed,” Boatright continued. “In contrast, if the same person is contacted by law enforcement, they would face arrest and imprisonment, leading to resource consumption and disruption to their life. Warrant clearing events are the only mechanism for eligible individuals to take accountability for prior mistakes without being arrested.”
Colorado Community Media sat down with Boatright for the following Q&A. Answers have been edited for clarity.
How long has the program been in place and how did it get started?
The original concept was introduced by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee*. Jeffco’s first event took place in 2021 after a six-month collaborative effort involving First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office, First Judicial District Court, First Judicial District Probation Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Justice Services, and C3.
Note from Boatright: The Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee serves as an advisory body to the policymakers, judiciary and stakeholder groups of the criminal justice system in Jefferson County. The Committee monitors the existing criminal justice system to examine potential opportunities for improvements to the system, prioritizes projects, conducts research, analyzes options, makes recommendations, and assists with implementation. This interagency collaboration seeks to identify innovative and evidence-based solutions to address deficiencies in the system and promote fairness and justice.
The program description on the Jefferson County website says that the program will allow the courts and law enforcement the time and resources to concentrate on other more serious warrants. Does this mean that the county is not actively pursuing the types of warrants eligible for Fresh Start?
To clarify, the website states, “The Fresh Start event will not only benefit individuals with outstanding warrants but will cut down on the costs to taxpayers and allow law enforcement to direct their resources toward offenders who commit higher level crimes and directly victimize others in the community.”
Any active warrant puts individuals at risk of arrest and incarceration. By reducing the number of individuals with low-level warrants, we are preserving law enforcement, judicial, and taxpayer resources for more serious and violent offenses. Traffic cases account for the majority of warrants, and while our law enforcement partners work diligently to address these low-level warrants and engage with the individuals involved, their primary focus is on proactive policing to improve community safety.
How many warrants were resolved in the 2023 Fresh Start event?
We’ve had events since 2021, and resolve between 40-90 warrants at each event. In 2023, we resolved just under 160 warrants between two warrant events.
What other resources will be available at the event?
Several community partners, including the Community Connections Center (C3), Benefits in Action, Hazelbrook Sober Living, Bayaud Enterprises, Ke’nekt, Community Economic Defense Project, Front Range Clinic, Master’s Apprentice, and Behavioral Treatment Services. All of those agencies will also be on-site to provide information and resources.
At our last event in November 2023, there were approximately 140 connections made in a variety of areas including housing, Medicaid and other benefits, employment, bus passes, substance use treatment, mental health treatment, hygiene, harm reduction and more.
The website says people can email to find out if their warrants are eligible for relief. Are there any other ways to check on a warrant to see if relief is possible?
The only way to check eligibility is via email; for probation violation cases, individuals should email 01probation@judicial.state.co.us, and for all other cases, email warrantforgiveness.golden@coloradodefenders.us.
What is the most important thing that readers should know about the program?
It is important to stress that this event excludes people charged or convicted of an offense under the Victim Rights Act – such as assault, child abuse, unlawful sexual contact or domestic violence. In addition, people with weapons offenses and those with second or subsequent cases involving driving under the influence or driving while ability impaired are not eligible for the event.
This initiative addresses minor offenses, primarily traffic violations, that would otherwise lead to arrests and court appearances that consume law enforcement and taxpayer resources and create challenges for defendants seeking to take responsibility.
Get more information on the Fresh Start event at Jeffco.us.