The committee felt DOL should be represented on the committee if this discussion is to continue. The program was scrapped when it appeared money to carry it out would not be available. The concept of sweeps was discussed along with a suggestion of a related amnesty period. The efficacy of amnesties and sweeps is open to discussion. Amnesties in Seattle and Tacoma did not result in clearing many warrants.
Sweeps are untried in Washington to date.
FTA Reduction - It was clarified that this topic is intended to be a discussion of efforts to prevent warrants. A number of local jurisdictions have used volunteers or court staff to call people to remind them of arraignment dates. Those jurisdictions that have tried it report that the phone calls have decreased incidents of failure to appear. It was hoped that doctors and dentists have followed this practice for years and that even otherwise responsible people can benefit from the effort. Other ideas that might encourage court attendance included providing transportation, perhaps by voucher or by agreement that a court hearing notice could satisfy bus fare.