The state of Texas and the Commerce Police Department are beginning their annual warrant roundup, and students should be aware if their name is on the list.
There is a common misconception that a person with a warrant out for their arrest is safe as long as they stay away from the city where the ticket was given.
According to Commerce Municipal Court Judge Demetra Robinson, people learn the hard way that they can be picked up in any city as they are led away in handcuffs, sometimes in front of friends, family and coworkers.
A warrant is an order from the court to go get someone; so being in a classroom does not mean immunity for the person.
In the past, the University Police Department has arrested students out of classrooms for having a warrant.
“Typically we’ll call them out of the classroom; it has to do with safety,” UPD Lt. Jason Bone said. “Anybody who has let it go to warrant has had multiple chances to take care of something.”
Pulling a student out of class is generally reserved for serious cases where the person has refused to cooperate; however, UPD may also coordinate with CPD in visiting residence halls to pick up wanted persons.
Once arrested, CPD can take the person to Hunt County for arraignments, or if they are wanted in an adjoining county, they will meet the other agency at the county line.
“We work with other agencies, because they work with us,” CPD Warrant Officer Alex Suarez said.
Suarez said the easiest thing to do is pay for the original ticket or figure out arrangements with the court before it is let go to warrant, which can end up doubling or tripling the fine. In addition to fees tacked on to the first ticket, the person may lose driving privileges and then can be arrested for driving with a suspended license.
CPD is encouraging people with outstanding tickets or a warrant out of the city of Commerce to contact the municipal court.
Sometimes the violator has options such as deferred adjudication, taking a driver safety course or doing community service if they lack the income to pay for the ticket outright.
“We work with people,” Suarez said. “Our objective is not to throw people in jail. Our objective is to clear these warrants and get people to comply.”
The municipal court is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Friday to work to get people on track for paying off tickets and warrants and from being arrested in class, at work or at home.
“It’s an embarrassment that you can save yourself,” Suarez said.