Ferguson, Mo., court to withdraw all arrest warrants issued before 2015

FERGUSON, Mo., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The newly appointed municipal judge in Ferguson, Mo., issued an order Monday withdrawing all arrest warrants issued in the city before 2015.

Judge Donald McCullin, who was appointed in June, announced the order as part of an overhaul of the municipal court six months after the U.S. Department of Justice said it found systemic racial discrimination within the system.

He also announced changes to conditions for pretrial release in which defendants will be given new court dates and alternative dispositions such as payment plans, community service or commuting fines for the indigent. All active warrants older than five years old will also be withdrawn.

"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," McCullin said. "Many individuals whose license has been suspended will be able to obtain them and take advantage of the benefits of being able to drive. Moreover, defendants will not be disadvantaged in being afforded pretrial release because of the inability to make bond."

If a defendant repeatedly fails to appear on their scheduled court date, an arrest warrant may be issued and the city's director of revenue may seek a set-off on the defendant's tax return, the judge said.

"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," Ferguson Mayor James Knowles said.

Ferguson's justice system came under scrutiny by the Department of Justice earlier in the year in response to the shooting death of unarmed black teen Michael Brown by white police Officer Darren Wilson in August 2014. The shooting sparked several nights of demonstrations in which some protesters clashed with police and looted businesses in the city.

In Ferguson's municipal court system, black people were 68 percent less likely to have their cases dismissed by a judge than other defendants, the Justice Department report said.