CHANCE TO SETTLE OUTSTANDING TRAFFIC TICKETS, BEFORE SWEEP.

Byline: JASON AUSLANDER

*****

A story on Page A-1 in Friday's edition about a Santa Fe County Magistrate Court program for people with arrest warrants related to traffic tickets contained the wrong date for the event. It will take place from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 21 in Magistrate Court.

*****

Santa Feans with arrest warrants issued because of traffic offenses will have a chance to take care of their cases without going to jail first.

Defendants must show up at the Santa Fe County Magistrate Court at 8 a.m. on Nov. 14 to take advantage of the court's warrant forgiveness program, according to a news release from the state Administrative Office of the Courts. The program will not apply to defendants with warrants based on domestic-violence or drunken-driving cases.

In addition, state police have agreed to conduct a roundup of those with traffic-related arrest warrants after Nov. 21, said Magistrate David Segura. State police usually don't include traffic offenses in warrant roundups, he said.

The idea came about because of a large backlog of cases at Magistrate Court, including about 1,600 outstanding traffic cases with arrest warrants attached, Segura said.

"We'd like to clear off our docket to handle more serious cases like DWI and domestic violence," Segura said.

The Saturday scheduling also will allow people who work during the week to come in and take care of their tickets and warrants, he said. Essentially, it's an opportunity to compromise, Segura said. That means judges will work with defendants to figure out a payment schedule or, if a person has no money, assign community service at area organizations like Habitat for Humanity in lieu of payment, he said.

"We think it's a great idea," Segura said.

Those who think they might have a warrant out for their arrest can check the "case lookup" section of nmcourts.com.

A Texas company will attempt to contact defendants by telephone or mail and let them know of the program, the news release states.

Segura said he hopes to get 20 percent to 30 percent of the 1,600 people with outstanding tickets and arrest warrants to come to the court.

Those interested must show up at the court by 10 a.m., though the program will last until noon, Segura said. For more information, call Cynthia Pacheco at 827-4721.

Contact Jason Auslander at 986-3076 or [e-mail].