HoCo Warrant Sweep Impacts Tax Refund Status

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — People with warrants out for their arrest in Howard County will not be able to receive their tax refunds until they clear up their issues with the judicial system, according to police.

The Howard County Police Department announced Tuesday that it was providing the Maryland comptroller with a list of those for whom bench warrants have been issued in the county.

There are 1,665 open bench warrants for people who failed to appear in District Court or violated probations for various criminal violations and serious traffic charges, according to Howard County police.

Additionally, there are 349 open warrants through the Howard County Sheriff's Office for people who did not appear in court or violated their probation/court orders.

Instead of their tax refunds, those with warrants out for their arrest will receive a letter in the mail directing them to clear up their open warrants.

“This program is a great way to locate people who need to clear up their records,” Howard County Police Chief Gary L. Gardner said in a statement. “While some people do intentionally fail to show up for court, others may have moved to new addresses and may not even realize their names are on this list. Our hope is that this program will encourage people to come forward.”

Weeks ago, the sheriff's office started sending information to the comptroller; as a result, 17 people received letters stating their refunds were being withheld until they addressed the open warrants, officials said.

Already, five people contacted the sheriff's office to clear up their warrants, police said Tuesday.

Using a warrant as a hold is not new in Maryland; the MVA suspends drivers licenses for people who have warrants.

Anyone who is aware of an open warrant for his or her arrest can contact the Howard County Sheriff’s Office at 410-313-2150 or the Howard County Police Department at 410-880-3302.