A Second Chance to Avoid Jail Time During the Holidays

For those with non-violent warrants hanging over their heads, Santa Clara County law enforcement has a little holiday gift for you—Operation Second Chance, which if taken advantage of properly, can prevent a county jail booking.

Throughout December anyone with non-violent misdemeanor or traffic warrants can go to any law enforcement agency in the county to get a warrant citation with a new “Promise to Appear” court date, according to officials.

Regardless of bail and warrants stamped “No Cite and Release” or “No Bail.”

Operation Second Chance 2011 is directed toward all misdemeanor warrants. It does not cover any warrants involving violence or felonies, but officials still encourage those people to turn themselves in.

Those with outstanding misdemeanor warrants can go to their local police or sheriff’s stations and surrender themselves on the outstanding warrants and be released instead of going to jail when caught.

Over the last six years of Operation Second Chance more than 2,100 people have taken advantage of the program, self-surrendered and avoided jail time over the holidays, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's office.

Anyone with questions can contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department Records Office at 408-808-4717.