“Operation Clean Slate” will give citizens an opportunity to dispose of delinquent traffic citations, parking citations or failure to appear warrants with the City of Rome, without additional fines and penalties — but only during the month of April.
“On May 1, that’s it,” said Lorene Camp, supervisor of police records.
Once the amnesty period ends, the Rome Police Department will be looking for those with warrants that did not participate.
For example, say someone is fined $84 for running a red light, and for whatever reason, didn’t show up for court.
At that point the judge could order them to pay an increased fine, as much as $200, and their license could be suspended indefinitely until the matter was resolved.
In this case the amnesty would allow them to pay the original $84 instead of an additional fee for contempt of court. Also, once the fee is paid, the court would also issue a release so the individual could go through the proper channels to get their license back.
For arrestable traffic offenses, such as DUI, where an offender hasn’t shown up for court, officials will issue a new court date.
“If they come to see us, we will hand deliver them their next upcoming court date,” Camp said. “We will waive that contempt and waive that warrant. They don’t have to go to jail and make a bond.”
This may be the first time the Rome police have conducted an amnesty period, she said. In her 28 years working as a police records clerk, she hasn’t seen it happen before.
“I think it’s a good thing for everybody,” Camp said. “It’s a good way to help us get rid of a backlog and, with the economy as it is, help people take care of their fines.”
There are approximately 1,000 outstanding traffic citations that haven’t been paid in the area, Camp said.
Citizens who currently have delinquent citations or failure to appear warrants should receive a reminder in the mail, Camp said, and fines can be paid at the City of Rome Clerk’s Office at 601 Broad St. with cash, money order, Visa or MasterCard.
Anyone with questions regarding “Operation Clean Slate” may contact Rome Municipal Court at 706-238-5150 or 706-238-5151.
Not to make excuse's but sometime's thing happen and you can't help it. You get busy and forget to do things, but that does not give the police the right to lie and trick people and then arrest them when they show up. I have never had problems paying bills or fines. I made one mistake and it cost me, I was not trying to avoid the issue. I'm sure everybody has made mistakes they regret even you voice.