This month, people with non-violent misdemeanor warrants may be able to avoid jail time through a program with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office.
Operation Second Chance gives eligible individuals with a non-violent misdemeanor criminal warrant a chance to turn themselves in to any Santa Clara law enforcement agency and get a citation with a new court date instead of being booked into jail. The offer is good through the month of December, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.
Individuals with qualifying misdemeanor warrants can visit any Santa Clara County law enforcement agency to receive their citation. This will include a “Promise to Appear” court date, which must be acknowledged in writing, the sheriff’s office said.
This program applies to most misdemeanor warrants, regardless of the bail amount. However, felony warrants, warrants marked “No Cite and Release,” and any warrant involving violence, a firearm, resisting arrest or giving false information to a peace officer are ineligible, according to the sheriff’s office.
People with ineligible warrants are encouraged to turn themselves in to resolve their matter in court.
From 2007 to 2017, more than 3,500 people participated in Operation Second Chance to resolve their warrants without jail time, the sheriff’s office said.
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