Garfield Heights Municipal Court Judge Deborah Nicastro hopes the program can clear 500 outstanding warrants from a caseload that averages around 2,000.

Garfield Heights Municipal Court Judge Deborah Nicastro hopes the program can clear 500 outstanding warrants from a caseload that averages around 2,000.

As Ohio's judges are looking at innovative video technology to keep their operations going amid COVID-19, one court is using email – and other basic communications – to reduce its caseload, and help people entangled in the criminal justice system.

Garfield Heights Municipal Court recently implemented a program that allows individuals with an outstanding warrant, or those who haven’t complied with probation or a payment plan, to turn themselves in to the court electronically. The “E-Safe Surrender Program” removes the necessity for an offender to report to a courthouse or local law enforcement, minimizing the possible spread of the coronavirus.

“We figured this is the easiest method. Even people in shelters can do this,” said Judge Deborah Nicastro.

After receiving a submission – by email, phone call, or regular mail – the court contacts the individual, and schedules a telephone conference to be held within two days. The objective is to find a resolution without an in-person court appearance.

If someone has already entered a plea and owes money, the court examines the person’s financial situation, which includes the impact of the coronavirus. Outcomes could include cost reductions or a payment plan initiation. If it’s a first-time appearance for an offense, there’s a remote arraignment, and determination whether the accused needs a lawyer. A subsequent hearing is then scheduled.

Judge Nicastro said the entire process requires fewer steps and fewer people than a typical hearing, and provides some relief from the roughly 2,000 warrants pending at any given time in its jurisdiction, which consists of eight municipalities in Cuyahoga County. So far, the court has handled an average of 10 requests a day to the program with the goal of processing at least 500 electronic surrenders.

The program, which is scheduled to run through July 30, also aims to resolve other legal issues that can affect a defendant’s life. For those dealing with employment and economic setbacks due to COVID-19, such as a driver’s license suspension or a red flag on a background check, those issues continually hinder a person’s ability to progress until they’re addressed.

“It's difficult to get a job without a license, or if you have a warrant. When it's time to go back to work [after the statewide stay at home order ends], they can go back with a clean record,” Judge Nicastro said.