The Safe Surrender initiative has its own page at the Trial Court Website. Sadly, there are 50,000 warrants out for various nonviolent criminal acts which leave women afraid to get restraining orders, parents afraid to go to court with their own children when those children are in trouble, and constitute part of the reason for the descent into lawlessness in parts of Boston.
I posted about the success of such a program in Detroit some time ago
In Boston, Massachusetts Fugitive Safe Surrender begins on Wendesday,October 6, 2010 and continues until Saturday, October 9, 2010. The hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Those who surrender will receive favorable consideration and in other cities, the vast majority were back in their homes the same day.
There is only one locaton: Jubilee Christian Church, 1500 Blue Hill Avenue, Boston.
If you or someone you know, are wanted for a non-violent offense, such as shop lifting, driving without a license, etc. this initiative can help you. Free legal counsel will available, as attorneys who represent the indigent will be on hand to provide representation.
Over 26,000 people have been helped by Fugitive Safe Surrender Programs in other cities.
For more information, contact:
1. The Fugitive Safe Surrender program at: 617 635 4500 or
2. The Committee for Public Counsel Services at:
617 482 6212
While this program may not be for every fugitive hiding from a warrant, many are looking for a way out and to resolve their problems. Both legal counsel and faith based leadership from the Ten Point Coalition will be available.
A woman or man with and outstanding warrant who witnesses a crime is not likely to call police or testify – they are in fear over their own outstanding warrant.
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p>A woman or man with an outstanding warrant who is the victim of domestic violence will not seek help – they are in fear over their own outstanding warrant.
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p>A woman or man with an outstanding warrant is living in the shadows. They can neither move on with their lives, improve their lives, nor contribute to society.
Long overdue. I remember a fellow in his 80s that called 911 when his wife had an emergency. The medics carted off the wife to the hospital and the police carted off the husband to the county jail on a warrant for disturbing the peace on the 4th of July, 1965 down Cape Cod. It was a Friday so the man, now confused and befuddled, stayed in the jail until Monday. Other than the arresting officer getting a tick mark for enforcement, how did this aid the criminal justice system and society?
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p>Any long term strategy?
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p>“The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced. –Frank Zappa