Veterans' Amensty Day September 12, 2014

August 25, 2014

The Third Circuit Pro Bono Committee, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Veterans’ Assistance Commission have coordinated an Amnesty Day for any veteran who has a traffic, misdemeanor, ordinance or felony warrant to appear and have the warrant set aside on Friday, September 12, 2014 in Courtroom 103 of the Madison County Courthouse starting at 1:00 p.m.

Veterans with outstanding warrants may meet with prosecutors at the Courthouse and, in addition to having outstanding warrants set aside, may arrange to pay outstanding fines or receive a new court date. “We are pleased to provide this service to veterans in assisting them with warrants without fear of arrest and in resolving their cases,” stated Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons. “We are happy to work with the Pro Bono Committee and the Veterans Assistance Commission to assist veterans who do not have attorneys,” he added.

There will be assistant state’s attorneys, deputy circuit clerks and Madison County judges available to handle the Amnesty Day for the veterans. The program does not apply to federal warrants or civil contempt citations. Each veteran must bring his or her photo identification and DD-214 form to the courthouse to receive these services. The Veterans Assistance Commission will be onsite to assist any veterans in obtaining DD214s and related documents.

“This program is another example of the public service that we are able to provide to the community as a result of the partnership between the Third Circuit Pro Bono Committee and our county offices” noted Chief Judge David Hylla in announcing the Amnesty Day. The Third Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee was formed in 2011 and provides services to low-income members of the community who do not have attorneys, including free legal appointments and pro bono mediators.

For more information about the Veterans Amnesty Day or to pre-register, veterans may call 618-296-4472. If the veteran needs to obtain a copy of his or her DD214 for this event, the veteran should contact the Veterans’ Assistance Commission at 618-296-4554. Veterans who are seeking assistance with warrants or fines should appear on Friday, September 12, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the Madison County Courthouse,155 N. Main Street, Edwardsville, in Courtroom #103 with their photo ID’s and DD-214s.