Warrant roundup begins on Monday

No one wants an early morning knock on the door from law enforcement followed by a trip to jail.

But that’s what could be looming as early as Monday for thousands of people who have failed to settle traffic tickets and other minor matters that have led to the issuance of a warrant for their arrest.

The Hays County Justice of the Peace Warrant Roundup kicks off Monday and runs through Saturday, Oct. 27, targeting people with warrant issued either through the county’s JP offices or the city of San Marcos’ Municipal Court. 

According to Frank Cheatham, deputy constable in the office of Pct. 1 Constable David Peterson, some of the people sought in these warrants have evaded justice for more than a decade. Since 2007, the Constable Pct. 1 Office has received 928 warrants and cleared 640 (receiving $38,690.55 in fines and court costs), though they still have approximately 3,000 active warrants to serve.

Numbers were unavailable from the Municipal Court, but a list of those subject to arrest next week can be found on the city's website.

“The primary mission of the warrant roundup is to clear outstanding warrants,” Cheatham said, noting that there will also be additional fees if people don’t clear up their warrants before the law is at the door. “Those who haven’t settled warrants stemming from traffic tickets, theft by check or other offenses could hear an early morning knock on the door followed by a trip to jail.”

There is still time to avoid that. For offenses that occurred in San Marcos, warrants can be settled through the Municipal Court, 512-393-8190; for offenses that occurred in the county, call JP Pct. 1, Place 1 Joann Prado at 512-393-7891 or JP Pct. 1, Place 2 Maggie Moreno at 512-393-7636.