"Stay out of jail" warrant program kicks off in NLR

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - If there's a warrant out for your arrest and you get stopped by police, you're going to jail. Except if you're in North Little Rock for the next month.

It’s close to a “stay out of jail” card but it isn’t free. It's only for traffic or non-violent misdemeanor warrants.

But on its first day in operation, we found quickly it's already getting takers.

Ronnie Meeks, 56, waited at the North Little Rock police warrant desk Monday afternoon ready to turn himself in on long-standing traffic warrant.

"I just heard about if you got warrants on you can turn yourself in," Meeks says.

At first FOX16 cameras were denied access but then NLRPD decided to let us walk back and see the process to have a warrant served and avoid jail time.

It's just a nondescript room, about five minutes of paperwork and Ronnie Meeks had a new court date.

NLRPD Sergeant Brian Dedrick hopes the first-year program can clear hundreds of warrants they have pending.

"It helps us serve warrants, helps us to get people to come in,” Dedrick says. “A lot of people may not have the money available during the holidays."

Meeks says a new job will help him pay his fine. He'll come back to traffic court in a few weeks.

"It went as well as I thought it might go because I was nervous when I came up here now," Meeks says. "I think the ones that got it need to come up here because they're doing a wonderful job helping you out. Cause if you don't do it, you're making yourself look bad."

There are a couple of stipulations to participate. The person with the warrant has to turn themselves in, a friend of family member can't show up on your behalf.

And you have to show up at 200 W. Pershing Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

The "stay out of jail" program runs through December 28th.