ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) — Multiple Albany residents said they are skeptical about the city’s newly announced warrant-forgiveness events.

City officials said people with unresolved bench warrants, probation warrants, or traffic citations will be able to come forward voluntarily to resolve their cases. The city said the effort is intended to help residents address pending legal issues.

Albany Chief Judge Ingrid P. Driskell said the court sees municipal cases date back years, even decades, and many residents forget to resolve them.

“We really wanted to try to clear the docket and give people an opportunity to take care of their citations without the risk of going to jail,” Judge Driskell said.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Albany offering warrant forgiveness days, what to know to clear your record without arrest <<

Some residents posted on social media questioning the events, with some calling the warrant forgiveness a “trick.” Others said similar events are common in other court systems and could benefit residents.

WALB gathered anonymous comments from residents, including:

“Sounds like a trick to me lol.”

“This sounds like a whole set up... if not then what a blessing for some... but on the other hand, IF I had a warrant I don’t think I’d chance it.”

“I get the hesitation 100 percent, but local jurisdictions have these types of events to clear their dockets — and resolve things the grassroots way — when their workload becomes too burdensome for their human resources (employees and contractors). Basically, it’s too many cases and not enough bailiffs, court reporters, attorneys, judges, et cetera... Take advantage when you can.”

Watch in WALB’s ‘What’s Going On’:

Judge Driskell said the city’s decision to forgive warrants is not a setup. She said the city hopes to prevent minor citations from turning into bigger problems.

“One of the funniest things that I have seen on social media is obviously the fact that people believe it’s a setup and that we’re just going to take them straight from downtown to the jail,” she said. “But that is not the purpose of us doing this.”

City officials said the goal is to provide an opportunity for individuals to move forward with a clean slate.

Driskell said cases only apply to Albany Municipal Court—not State Court and not other jurisdictions. Residents only need to bring any form of identification.

The “Warrant Forgiveness Days” event dates are:

• May 22, 2026
• Aug. 28, 2026
• Oct. 23, 2026

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