HOUSTON – The city of Houston Municipal Court's 2018 amnesty program will end at 11:59 p.m. Friday.

Anyone with delinquent court matters is encouraged by court officials to take advantage of the program to resolve their cases at a discounted rate.

Officials said that any delinquent case issued before Jan. 1 is eligible for discounts that allow people to resolve the case while saving money. Only the defendant named in the case or the defendant’s attorney can make the amnesty request, officials said. Bonding companies, friends, relatives, and spouses cannot make the amnesty request on behalf of someone else, officials said.

"We are offering this cost-savings program to assist individuals in resolving their court matters so they can have the peace of mind to go about their day-to-day affairs without fear of arrest," Director and Presiding Judge J. Elaine Marshall said. "We are available for anyone who has questions or needs assistance; just call us at 311, visit us online, or come to any of our six court locations."

The amnesty program was announced at a news briefing Feb. 26.

“After Hurricane Harvey, we’ve all been through a lot and there are many of us who are still rebuilding our lives. Municipal Courts staff can help you have one less thing to worry about, we are here to ease your burden by helping you to get your delinquent cases resolved,” Marshall said. “Hopefully, this Amnesty Program will be the answer for those who haven’t been able to pay their cases before now.”

Most delinquent traffic and non-traffic citations that were delinquent on or before Jan. 1 are eligible for amnesty discounts.

Previously adjudicated cases, capias pro fine cases and parking citations are not eligible for amnesty.

For more information, visit the city's website by clicking here or contact the city's helpline at 3-1-1 or 713-837-0311 (if outside Houston).