Brookhaven Chief Judge Bryan C. Ramos is offering a limited amnesty program to individuals with an active bench warrant or driver’s license suspension due to an outstanding violation in Brookhaven Municipal Court.

Chief Clerk and Court Administrator Dominiqui Southall said the amnesty program is a first for the city of Brookhaven. There are 3,000 eligible cases for amnesty, including 1,200 with an active bench warrant.

The purpose of the amnesty program is to provide relief to those with outstanding violations, the court, and police officers. By participating, defendants will avoid arrest and reinstate their driving privileges, and the court will clear outstanding warrants and failure to appear cases.

“Keep in mind we are pulling cases from the very founding of the court, so that covers just about anybody who missed court up to about 30 days ago,” said Southall. “We want to get people back on track.”

During October, a Limited Amnesty Participation Request can be submitted to the court by mail, in person, or online. Photo ID must be submitted at the time of applying.

Defendants with an outstanding bench warrant will pay $100 as an appearance bond in lieu of the total bond amount. A bench warrant will be withdrawn, and a new court date will be scheduled.

Defendants with an outstanding traffic violation that resulted in restricted driving privileges can pay the outstanding fine or request a new court date. After that, a withdrawal of the license suspension will be submitted to the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

In both circumstances when eligibility is confirmed, payment can be made to the court in person, online, or by mail.

“It’s an olive branch,” said Southall.

The amnesty program is running until Oct. 31. Brookhaven Municipal Court is located at 1793 Briarwood Road, Brookhaven, GA 30329.