For many in our community, the weight of an old warrant can feel like a shadow that never goes away. It lingers, making it harder to move forward, harder to find stability, and harder to fully participate in the life of the city we call home. This December, Aurora is offering something rare and powerful: a chance to step out from under that shadow.
Aurora Municipal Court, working hand in hand with the Aurora Public Defender’s Office, has launched Fresh Start Week, a program that allows residents with certain non-violent warrants to clear them without the fear of arrest. It’s a simple but transformative idea: show up, meet with a public defender, stand before a judge, and walk away with your warrant cancelled and your case reset. For many, that means the opportunity to breathe easier, to focus on family, work, and community without the constant worry of being picked up for something that could have been resolved years ago.
Fresh Start Week runs on December 8, 9, 11, and 12, with walk-in court sessions in the afternoons. Those who check in by 1 p.m. will have their cases added to the docket, and interpreters will be available to make sure language is never a barrier. For those who cannot make it to the courthouse, there’s even a remote option through the Aurora Mental Health and Recovery homeless services drop-in center on Elmira Street, available on December 8, 9, and 11.
Eligibility and Requirements
Not everyone qualifies. Cases involving domestic violence, assault, battery, reckless endangerment, and crimes involving weapons are excluded, but for those with warrants tied to traffic, zoning, animal control, or select criminal matters, this program is a lifeline. It’s a chance to resolve lingering issues without punishment, to reset the clock, and to reclaim dignity.
City leaders say the initiative is about more than clearing dockets. It’s about giving people the chance to move forward, reducing taxpayer costs, and allowing law enforcement to focus on violent crimes that truly endanger the community. But for the individuals who walk into Division 6 of the Aurora Municipal Court, it’s about something deeply personal: the chance to start fresh.
Registration and Information
Pre-registration is encouraged but not required, and residents can check if they have an active warrant by visiting court.auroragov.org/warrant. To register or ask about eligibility, community members can email pubdefwarrants@auroragov.org, call 303-739-6555, or visit the Aurora Public Defender’s Office in person.
Fresh Start Week is a reminder that second chances matter. In Aurora, the city is saying to its residents: we see you, we value you, and we want you to have the opportunity to move forward. For many families, that message could make all the difference.
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