The Chillicothe Municipal Court Probation Department plans to staff a table at HopeFest 2026 where eligible people can address certain active probation warrants without being taken into custody on those warrants.
Details of the opportunity were shared publicly by Michelle Gillman, a probation officer with the City of Chillicothe and the Chillicothe Municipal Court Probation Department. In Facebook posts from Gillman and the Rooted Recovery account, the department is described as bringing the option to the event so individuals can resolve qualifying warrants and receive a summons to appear in court instead of facing immediate jail on the warrant.
The event, titled HopeFest 2026: Rooted in Recovery, is scheduled for Saturday, August 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Poland Park in Chillicothe. Poland Park is a city neighborhood park located near the corner of Hickory and West Fifth Streets.
According to the posts, the process applies only to active Chillicothe Municipal Court Probation warrants. Participants will not go to jail on those warrants. The warrant can be cleared and a summons issued so the person can return to court and work toward getting back on track.
Clear limits are stated. The opportunity does not cover warrants involving a violation of a no-contact order. Warrants that require jail days to be served also fall outside this process and cannot be cleared without the person going to jail.
Chillicothe Municipal Court, located at 95 East Main Street, oversees the probation department. Public court information shows the department is staffed by multiple probation officers appointed by the municipal court judges. Officers monitor individuals under community control and handle related compliance matters.
Similar warrant-resolution efforts have been used by other Ohio municipal courts. Courts in communities such as Toledo, Sylvania, Struthers, and Canton have held events that allow people with eligible lower-level or non-violent warrants to appear, have warrants recalled, and receive a new court date or summons without immediate arrest. These programs are generally presented as ways to encourage compliance and reduce barriers associated with outstanding warrants.
HopeFest events in the Chillicothe area have previously focused on recovery support, community resources, and reducing stigma around substance use. Past gatherings have often included family-friendly activities and connections to local services.
Anyone considering the opportunity should first confirm their warrant status and eligibility. Information can be checked through the Chillicothe Municipal Court or by contacting the court during business hours at (740) 773-3515. The probation department fax is listed as (740) 774-3091. People with warrants from other courts, no-contact order violations, or required jail time should not expect the same process.
HopeFest 2026 takes place Saturday, August 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Poland Park. Those interested can look for the probation department table and follow any updates from the organizing accounts.
