OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County residents with outstanding warrants lined up outside county court last Friday for "Safe Surrender Day," which allows people to have their outstanding warrants cleared in less than a day.
Authorities said 79 people participated, clearing 93 misdemeanor and traffic warrants.
The people were all wanted for nonviolent, misdemeanor crimes and were allowed to clear their warrants by showing up voluntarily, filling out paperwork and appearing before a judge.
Raw: Judge discusses Safe Surrender Day
The program doesn't absolve them from their crimes, but allows them to get reduced fines, probation requirements or new court dates instead of prison time, authorities said.
"It was pretty easy. It felt comfortable. I didn't feel like anyone was watching me," Fernando Pesantes said. "I didn't feel like a criminal at all. It was comfortable."
Pesantes had a warrant for petty theft and drove from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to have it cleared.
The county sent out 4,000 postcards offering people the chance to participate in "Safe Surrender Day."
WFTV
