Tap in Center Helps People Clear Low-Level Warrants (2022)
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (St. Louis, MO)
Population: 996,179 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 66 | Contact Information
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (SLCPA) partnered with the Court, Public Defender, and the County Library to create a “Tap In Center” where community members can get legal help in order to clear warrants and take care of issues in criminal cases that would normally require a court appearance. The program was launched in order to provide better access to services in a non-threatening environment, that caters to people who work or have childcare obligations during normal court hours.
The Center is very popular and has allowed the County to reduce the number of outstanding warrants without the cost of a full court proceeding. Members of the Public Defender’s Office and community volunteers staff the center in person, while prosecutors remain offsite to support a non-threatening environment that encourages use in law enforcement wary communities. Prosecutors work remotely to resolve legal issues during center hours. Over 300 warrants were cleared in the Tap In Center’s first 17 months, furthering its mission to reduce racial disparities in the administration of justice by lowering incarceration rates.