The Ferguson, Mo., municipal court judge announced Monday that he would withdraw all arrest warrants issued in the city before Dec. 31, 2014, according to CNN. The news comes alongside an announcement that widespread changes will be made to Ferguson's court system as a whole.
Judge Donald McCullin of the Ferguson Municipal Court said those defendants will be given new court dates and alternative sentences. He is also withdrawing all active warrants more than five years old, according to USA Today.
These new measures far exceed a Missouri state bill set to take effect Friday that limits the amount of money municipalities can obtain from minor traffic offenses, and which imposes safeguards to protect people from being locked up for an inability to pay fines and fees, according to the New York Times. Ferguson is not the first municipality to announce measures like these.
"These changes should continue the process of restoring confidence in the court, alleviating fears of the consequences of appearing in court and giving many residents a fresh start," said McCullin in a statement released Monday, according to CNN.
Ferguson Mayor James Knowles also released a statement in response to the judge's announcement.
"The Ferguson City Council was informed of the proposed actions by Judge McCullin and applauds the recall of the arrest warrants and the rescission of the driver's license suspensions in compliance with Senate Bill 5 and as a way to restore confidence in the Municipal Court," said Knowles, according to USA Today.
