Woodfin previews Birmingham’s ticket amnesty program
Mayor promises “fresh start” for those with outstanding tickets — but warns things will be different once the program is over.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin released a video Monday morning to address some frequently asked questions about the city’s Fresh Start Amnesty Program, which is slated to begin on Tuesday.
The program, which was approved by the Birmingham City Council during its July 10 meeting, will allow people with outstanding minor traffic, parking, and non-moving violation tickets to pay off their debts without facing late fees or being arrested. It’s the city’s first such program in four years, Judge Andra D. Sparks told the council on Tuesday. It will last for two months — from July 17 through September 17.
In his video, Woodfin emphasized that the program is not a trap that will result in offenders’ arrests.
“The thing I want to clear up for everyone is, this is not an ‘I got you’ moment,” Woodfin says in the video. “You can come into the municipal court building and not have to worry about being arrested. [But] after this 60 days, things change. If you’re out there and you have a warrant because you failed to come to court… or anything of that nature, it’s going to be different.”
“This is your opportunity to get a fresh start,” he said.
You can watch the full video below. For more information, visit the City of Birmingham website.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2018 Fresh Start Amnesty Program from Mayor Randall Woodfin on Vimeo.
