Back On Track In Renton

Press release from the City of Renton:

June 14, 2021

Program applies to persons with bench warrants in any municipal court in King County

RENTON, WA – For a limited time, persons with bench warrants in any municipal court within King County can quash a qualified warrant through the Back on Track warrant amnesty program. This program is available from April 1 through June 30, 2021.

While each court has its own procedure for the program, many warrants under $5,000 will be handled administratively, with the warrant immediately removed and a new court hearing scheduled. Warrants over $5,000 and those that involve Domestic Violence, No Contact Orders, DUIs and Physical Control, no matter the amount of the warrant, will be referred to the judge for consideration, depending on court policies.

“This is a great opportunity for people with outstanding arrest warrants in King County to get back on track,” stated Bothell Municipal Court Judge Mara Rozzano. “With COVID-19 restrictions, we understand there has been a lot of confusion about how to access the court system, and many people with court dates have been understandably worried about their health and safety. This program allows individuals with qualified warrants to have an outstanding arrest warrant removed and quickly get back into the court system.”

Individuals with an outstanding bench warrant should contact the specific court where the warrant was issued. Requests to quash warrants can be made by phone, email or in writing. The court may require the citation or case number, personal identification, and updated contact information. If the citation/case number is not known, the court will be able to assist in finding that information. All municipal courts in King County have remote hearing options that do not require in-person contact, including virtual and telephone hearings.

“This pandemic has affected every business and service provider. The courts have also been hit hard,” observed Judge Kara Murphy Richards from Renton Municipal Court. “The lack of full in-person operations and technology challenges means that a lot of people are missing hearings and warrants are being issued. The Back on Track program aims to provide a county-wide plan that encourages people to clear these warrants. Renton is a proud partner with neighboring courts to be part of this regional effort.”

The Back on Track program runs only from April 1 through June 30, 2021. Individuals who qualify are strongly encouraged to participate and contact courts today. The following courts are actively participating in the Back on Track program:

• Algona Municipal Court (Pacific Municipal Court)
• Black Diamond Municipal Court
• Bothell Municipal Court
• Clyde Hill Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court)
• Des Moines Municipal Court
• Enumclaw Municipal Court
• Federal Way Municipal Court
• Hunts Point Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court)
• Issaquah Municipal Court
• Kent Municipal Court
• Kirkland Municipal Court
• Lake Forest Park Municipal Court
• Maple Valley Municipal Court (Kent Municipal Court)
• Medina Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court)
• Mercer Island Municipal Court
• Newcastle Municipal Court (Mercer Island Municipal Court)
• Normandy Park Municipal Court (Des Moines Municipal Court)
• North Bend Municipal Court (Issaquah Municipal Court)
• Pacific Municipal Court
• Renton Municipal Court
• SeaTac Municipal Court
• Seattle Municipal Court
• Snoqualmie Municipal Court (Issaquah Municipal Court)
• Tukwila Municipal Court
• Woodinville Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court)
• Yarrow Point Municipal Court (Kirkland Municipal Court)

This press release was produced by the City of Renton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.