Crime & Public Safety
Crime & Public Safety

DeKalb offers deal to citizens with outstanding warrants

8/15/20 - Stone Mountain, GA - A DeKalb sheriff officer keeps an eye on marchers as several far-right groups, including militias and white supremacists, rally Saturday in the town of Stone Mountain, and a broad coalition of leftist anti-racist groups organized a counter-demonstration there after local authorities closed Stone Mountain park. Jenni Girtman for the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Credit: Jenni Girtman

Credit: Jenni Girtman

8/15/20 - Stone Mountain, GA - A DeKalb sheriff officer keeps an eye on marchers as several far-right groups, including militias and white supremacists, rally Saturday in the town of Stone Mountain, and a broad coalition of leftist anti-racist groups organized a counter-demonstration there after local authorities closed Stone Mountain park. Jenni Girtman for the Atlanta Journal Constitution
By Christian Boone
April 28, 2021

If you have an outstanding warrant in DeKalb County for a misdemeanor offense, you may want to consider turning yourself in to authorities.

The DeKalb Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced a series of “Warrant Relief Days” from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on May 4-6. During those three days, persons with outstanding misdemeanor warrants issued by any DeKalb law enforcement agency are eligible for an unsecured judicial release if they report to the county jail on Memorial Drive in Decatur.

It’s something of a get out of jail card, but not quite for free. The sheriff’s office said charges will not be dismissed but those accused could remain out of jail until their court date. The offer is a continuation of a standing order governing bail during judicial emergency issued at the onset of the pandemic by DeKalb state court.

The city of Dunwoody has announced a similar program.

About the Author

A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.

Follow Christian Boone on twitter
More Stories

The Latest

A federal jury in New York acquitted rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs of the most serious charges he faced Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

‘Another win for Brian Steel’: Atlanta attorneys react to Diddy trial

Sheriff showdown: Georgia lawmen’s lawsuits latest salvo in budget fight

27-year-old drowns in Lake Lanier amid birthday celebration

Featured

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said joining neighboring states to form a new accreditation agency will “keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation." (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

AJC ON CAMPUS

Georgia joins five Southern states to form new accreditation agency

In this edition of the AJC On Campus, Georgia is joining a movement to shake up the accreditation system that has long been the model for American higher education.

14 injured in separate boat explosions on Lake Lanier, Lake Nottely on July 4th

Flames erupted from two boats, one on Lake Lanier and another on Lake Nottely, during the Fourth of July holiday, officials said.

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

The 535-mile expansion plan, known as Trails ATL, aims to make the city more walkable, bringing 10-minute access to trails for 95% of city residents by 2052.