Akron court offering Summit County fugitives rare safe surrender option next month

Akron Municipal Court to offer Summit County fugitives safe surrender next month

Akron Municipal Court judges, from left, David Hamilton, Nicole Walker, Jerry Larson, Jon Oldham, Annalisa S. Williams and Ron Cable support the Fugitive Safe Surrender initiative.Courtesy of the Akron Municipal Court

AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Municipal Court is partnering with local agencies for the Summit County Fugitive Safe Surrender initiative Aug. 7-10 at House of the Lord, located at 1650 Diagonal Road.

The initiative encourages those who have outstanding felony or misdemeanor warrants (including traffic violations) the chance to resolve those issues in a community-based setting, according to a court news release. Though the safe surrender program does not offer amnesty, it gives individuals who have a warrant or license forfeiture the opportunity to surrender in a safe environment. Although criminal charges are decided by the prosecutor and judge, favorable consideration is typically given to program participants, according to the release.

Program hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but individuals in need of services or assistance should arrive before 4 p.m. It’s the first time in a decade the court has offered a safe surrender program, which reduces risk for those with outstanding warrants, law-enforcement officers and community members, according to the release.

Representatives from Akron Municipal Court, Barberton Municipal Court, the Summit County Common Pleas Court General Division and the Summit County Domestic Relations Court will be on-site, according to the release. Additional program partners include Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the Summit Legal Defender’s Office, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Akron Bar Association, Oriana House and the Akron Police Department.

Residents can view the Safe Surrender FAQ to learn more about the program, or call 330-643-2114.

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