2009 Hot-Check Warrant Amnesty Period And Roundup Announced
El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez and County Sheriff Richard Wiles announced today an upcoming amnesty week and massive warrant roundup for individuals with outstanding hot check warrants in El Paso County.
The amnesty period runs from Monday April 27 through Friday May 1, 2009. Just before the start of the amnesty week, on Sunday April 26, 2009, the County Attorney's Office will publish in local publications and on the County's web-site the names and addresses of thousands of individuals with outstanding hot-check warrants. Individuals who want to avoid the publication of their names in the newspaper need to pay their outstanding balances by Friday April 17, 2009.
Individuals who pay their outstanding balances during the Amnesty Week will avoid arrests during an upcoming county-wide arrest warrant round-up. Additionally, they will save money by avoiding the payment of various fees, such as court costs, attorney fees, and the cost of posting a bond.
Residents with outstanding hot check warrants can make their payments at the El Paso County Attorney's Office, 5th floor of the County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio. The payment windows at the County Attorney's Office will be operating with extended hours during amnesty week from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Forms of payment accepted include most credit cards, money orders, cashiers checks, and cash, however those paying cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers can't give change).
For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney's Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051. The complete and updated list of individuals with theft by check outstanding warrants will remain posted in the El Paso County web site at: www.epcounty.com/CA.
There are currently more than 3,200 names in the County's hot checks warrants list, who owe local merchants more than 2.8 million dollars. During fiscal year 2007-2008 the Hot Check Unit collected 1.4 million dollars in outstanding hot checks.
El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodríguez encouraged individuals with outstanding warrants for writing hot checks to take advantage of this opportunity. "These hot check writers will be fully prosecuted for a criminal offense if they fail to pay the outstanding balances on their checks; this is their last chance." Rodríguez concluded.
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2009 Hot Check Amnesty Week Press Release.pdf