AZTEC –   – People with outstanding bench warrants from any magistrate court in New Mexico can safely surrender at the Aztec Magistrate Court, 200 Gossett Dr., Aztec, NM on Friday, August 11 from 3-7 p.m. and Saturday, August 12from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“Statewide, there are 82,000 outstanding warrants in magistrate courts,” said Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Director Artie Pepin. “Our goal is always to help anyone who wants to come back into compliance with the courts and the San Juan Safe Surrender event will make it a little easier for people to do that.”

The safe surrender event provides anyone with outstanding warrants an opportunity to avoid jail and other consequences by appearing before a judge. At the time of surrender, anyone who appears voluntarily will receive favorable consideration when requesting a new court date, payment plan, or any other option required to comply with the court order.

Judges heard a total of 64 cases in Alamogordo’s magistrate court during a safe surrender event in June. Cases no longer in warrant status after the event numbered 297.

A bench warrant is issued by a judge when a defendant violates the rules of the court.  If you are unsure whether you have an outstanding bench warrant, call the toll-free warrant hotline at 855-268-7804 or check online case lookup at  www.nmcourts.gov .