Abigail Margulis

amargulis@citizen-times.com

ASHEVILLE - Buncombe County courthouse officials will offer a unique opportunity to people charged with minor, nonviolent misdemeanors and traffic citations or need to take care of administrative matters later this month.

The courthouse will host its first-ever Begin Again Amnesty Day Dec. 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the first floor of the old wing of the courthouse.

Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams, with the assistance of Chief District Court Judge J. Calvin Hill and Clerk of Superior Court Stephen D. Cogburn announced the event Dec. 8.

The purpose of the event is to provide the general public with an opportunity to reset court dates, remit unpaid fines, and resolve and/or reschedule minor, nonviolent misdemeanors and traffic citations (excluding DWI), without the fear of arrest, according to officials.

“Too many people are arrested on old warrants or have their licenses revoked for charges that could be easily resolved," Williams said. "These outstanding issues can cause grave problems in employment and education."

This opportunity has been extended to veterans in Buncombe County on three occasions since 2015 and now court staff wants to offer it to everyone eligible.

"We want to give people the message that it's the holiday season and there is a spirit of generosity," Williams said.

Sometimes people are intimidated to come down to the courthouse or have had other circumstances that keep them away, but on Dec. 21 people shouldn't have any fear about coming down, Williams added.

Anyone can come and court staff will see if they can come to a solution whether that is dropping the charge, rescheduling a court date to get the matter resolved in the near future, or another option, he said.

To be eligible the misdemeanor, citation, infraction or other criminal process must have been issued from within the jurisdiction of Buncombe County. Matters originating outside the jurisdiction of Buncombe County are not eligible and cannot be resolved.