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Office of the Sheriff
Office of the Sheriff
Press Release

Operation Second Chance: Opportunity to resolve non-violent misdemeanor warrants without jail time

Santa Clara County Operation Second Chance
November 26, 2024

This holiday season, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with all other local law enforcement agencies, is offering any person with qualifying non-violent misdemeanor warrants a chance to avoid jail time through the Operation Second Chance program.

Beginning December 1, 2024, and continuing through the month of December, eligible individuals with non-violent misdemeanor criminal warrants can receive a citation with a new court date, rather than being booked into County Jail.

PROGRAM DETAILS: Individuals with qualifying misdemeanor warrants can visit any Santa Clara County law enforcement agency to receive their citation. This will include a “Promise to Appear” court date, which must be acknowledged in writing.

This program applies to most misdemeanor warrants, regardless of the bail amount. However, certain warrants are not eligible for this program, including:

  • Felony warrants
  • Warrants marked “No Cite and Release”
  • Any warrant involving violence (including domestic violence)
  • Any warrant involving a firearm
  • Any warrant involving resisting arrest
  • Any warrant involving giving false information to a peace officer

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Persons with ineligible warrants are encouraged to turn themselves in to resolve their matter in court.

PAST SUCCESS & PROGRAM CHANGES:
From 2007 to 2017, more than 3,500 people participated in Operation Second Chance to resolve their warrants without jail time. This year, a change has been made to exclude warrants stamped "No Cite and Release" from eligibility.

SELF-SURRENDER LOCATIONS & HOURS:
The following law enforcement agencies are available to accept self-surrenders during the listed times

  • Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office
    • Main Jail: Monday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    • 150 W. Hedding St., San Jose
    • Headquarters (by appointment): 55 W. Younger Ave., San Jose | (408) 808-4705
  • Campbell Police Department
    • Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • Fridays - 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 70 North First St., Campbell
  • Gilroy Police Department
    • Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • 7301 Hanna St., Gilroy
  • Los Altos Police Department
    • Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • 1 N. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos
  • Los Gatos/Monte Sereno Police Department
    • Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • 110 E. Main St., Los Gatos
  • Milpitas Police Department
    • Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • 1275 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas
  • Morgan Hill Police Department
    • Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • 16200 Vineyard Blvd., Morgan Hill
  • Mountain View Police Department
    • Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    • 1000 Villa St., Mountain View
  • Santa Clara Police Department
    • Wednesday, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Thursday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • 601 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
  • San Jose Police Department
    • Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
    • (Closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)
    • 201 W. Mission St., San Jose
  • Sunnyvale Dept. of Public Safety
    • Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    • Saturday – 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • 700 All America Way, Sunnyvale
  • Palo Alto Police Department
    • Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • 275 Forest Ave., Palo Alto
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