COURT News:

CARLSBAD — People with outstanding bench warrants from any magistrate court in New Mexico have an opportunity to clear them at the Eddy County Magistrate Court in Carlsbad, New Mexico from 1–7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, and from 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday. The courthouse address is 1949 South Canal Street.

The safe surrender event provides anyone with outstanding warrants an opportunity to avoid jail and other consequences by appearing before a judge. At the time of surrender, a person who appears voluntarily will receive favorable consideration when requesting a new court date, payment plan, or any other option required to comply with the court order.

“Judges heard 119 cases and cleared 501 cases during Española’s safe surrender event last April,” Administrative Office of the Courts Director Karl Reifsteck said. “Helping people who may only be able to address their issues during non-traditional court business hours is one of the many reasons Safe Surrender events are successful.”   

The Administrative Office of the Courts’ Court Operations Division has invited people who have bench warrants and live within a 50-mile radius of the host courthouse for the Safe Surrender event via postcard, calls and texts.

For the last Safe Surrender event in Española, the division sent out 16,865 text messages,1,105 post cards and 20,744 phone calls to let people know they had outstanding bench warrants. 

Judges issue a bench warrant when a defendant violates requirements imposed by a court, such as appearing at hearings scheduled in a case. If you are unsure whether you have an outstanding bench warrant, call the toll-free warrant hotline at 855.268.7804 or check online case lookup at www.nmcourts.gov.

The Carlsbad Municipal Court will be open during the Safe Surrender event to handle the municipal warrants it has issued. Please contact court manager Tammy Carrigan at 575.885.3363 with questions.