Scofflaws Respond to Names in Print
EL CAJON, Calif. — About 20 of 1,300 people who allegedly ignored warrants for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol appeared in court early Monday after their names were printed in a newspaper, an official said.
The names were published Sunday in an El Cajon newspaper under a pilot program called Operation Pay Up! The program is intended to help ease the county’s backlog of 680,000 unserved warrants.
The idea of publishing the names of offenders was based on a successful program in Tulare and Santa Barbara counties, said San Diego County Supervisor Susan Golding.
“It lets everyone know that they’re going to be publicly embarrassed in addition to being arrested if they don’t meet their obligations,” Golding said.
Court officials say the list included those who have failed to appear in court, neglected to pay fines or violated probation.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
