Ellis County Law Enforcement officials are preparing for the largest Warrant Roundup in recent history, working aggressively on any and all warrants that remain outstanding after April 30, 2011.

“We will target warranted offenders wherever we can find them – work, home, school, relatives, or anywhere,” said Constable Terry Nay, pct. 2. “These offenders have had plenty of opportunity to take care of their business, or at least contact the courts and make arrangements to take care of their warrants.”

Nay indicates the month of April has been designated as a final “grace period” for these warrants.

While County Law Enforcement officials are not announcing the exact dates of the roundup, for obvious reasons, they have indicated that teams will dedicate seven to ten days to the effort throughout the county, tracking and arresting individuals who have refused to take care of their warrants voluntarily.

“Ellis County has a huge backlog of cases that have gone into warrant status,” said Judge Jackie Miller, Jr., Justice of the Peace, pct. 2. “Clearing up this backlog will help Ellis County in many ways.”

Sheriff Johnny Brown said his office is in full support of the project. “We all tackle this aspect of law enforcement daily, but putting together a dedicated group to concentrate on the issue will be extremely effective,” he said. “We are working closely with the Constables, District Attorney’s Office, Jail Staff, Judges, Courts, and other local law enforcement personnel to make this a successful endeavor.”

Because of the county-wide nature of the project, throughout all the courts, warranted offenders of all types will be targeted, from simple unpaid traffic offenses to probation and parole violations.

Offenders may pay their warrants voluntarily during this final grace period that extends through April 30, without the inconvenience, embarrassment and expense that comes with being jailed. For misdemeanor convictions, offenders can contact the appropriate court to make payment arrangements. Warrants issued by JP Courts can be cleared online using a credit card, at www.certifiedpayments.com.

“Please contact the court where your case is filed to verify your warrant status and all amounts owed prior to paying online,” Nay said. “A bureau code will be provided to pay online.”

County Law Enforcement officials urge those who may have warrants to act now, while the final grace period is in effect.

Contact information is listed below to assist with the process.

District Attorney
Bond Forfeitures: 972-825-5225
Hot Checks: 972-825-5040

Sheriffs’ Office
Warrants: 972-825-4938

Constables
Pct 1: 972-878-2512
Pct 2: 972-825-5027
Pct 3: 972-825-5006
Pct 4: 972-775-2046

Community Supervision & Corrections
“Adult Probation”: 972-825-5130

Justice of the Peace Courts
Pct 1: 972-875-5175
Pct 2: 972-825-5022
Pct 3: 972-825-5030
Pct 4: 972-775-3763

District Courts
District Clerk: 972-825-5091

County Courts at Law:
County Clerk Collections: 972-825-5081 or 972-825-5082