Last Day For DC Safe Surrender Is August 27

WASHINGTON, DC -- D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee F. Satterfield announced today that 179 people turned themselves in on Saturday, August 20, the second day of DC Safe Surrender 2011.  “We had 226 people turn themselves in on the first day of the program, with 68 coming in during the week, and now 179 more this past Saturday for a total of 473 so far.  This is nearly 500 people who have taken responsibility for their actions and avoided the risk and potential embarrassment of an arrest at home, workplace or during a traffic stop.  And nearly 99% of those turning themselves in went home the same day,” said Chief Judge Satterfield.  “I encourage people to come in on Saturday, August 27, and do the right thing by themselves, their family and their community.”

“I would urge people with outstanding warrants to take advantage of this final opportunity to surrender safely. By surrendering on Saturday, people with outstanding bench warrants reduce the risk of harm to themselves and the law enforcement officials tasked with apprehending them. Moreover, they take a positive step toward getting their lives back on track and making things right for themselves, their families, and the communities in which they live.” said Deputy Mayor Paul Quander.

The DC Safe Surrender program is an opportunity for persons who have outstanding bench warrants for non-violent felonies or misdemeanors in D.C. to surrender voluntarily at the Moultrie Courthouse.  DC Safe Surrender recognizes that many persons have bench warrants because they failed to appear for a court hearing or violated conditions of probation or parole, and they now want to resolve the matter and move forward with their lives. The program’s goal is to reduce the number of outstanding bench warrants.

 “DC Safe Surrender is an initiative focused on increasing public safety, and our goal this year is to build on the success of the 2007 program,” Chief Judge Satterfield said. “By taking responsibility for their actions, participants of Safe Surrender can show their friends, family, and the judge, that they are taking the appropriate steps towards becoming responsible members of the community.  I encourage everyone with an outstanding bench warrant to turn themselves in next Saturday.”

The DC Safe Surrender program will conclude on Saturday, August 27, 2011 from 9:30am-4:30pm.  For more information, including a list of those with bench warrants eligible for the program, please visit www.dcsafesurrender.org.  

Safe Surrender is a partnership between:  the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, DC Public Defender Service, DC Superior Court, Deputy Mayor’s Office for Public Safety and Justice, Metropolitan Police Department, Office of Attorney General, Pretrial Services Agency, US Attorney’s Office, US Parole Commission and US Marshals Service. 

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