A Ferguson judge just tossed all arrest warrants issued before 2015

A municipal court judge in Ferguson, Missouri, ordered Monday that all arrest warrants issued before Dec. 31, 2014 be withdrawn, as well as all active warrants more than five years old, KMOV reports.

Judge Donald McCullin also announced changes to conditions for pre-trial release. Defendants will get new court dates and alternative dispositions including payment plans, community service, and commuted fines. The city council said they stand by the mandate.

"These changes should continue the process of restoring confidence in the court, alleviating fears of the consequences of appearing in court, and giving many residents a fresh start," McCullin said in a statement.

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Ferguson's court and policing systems came under fire after a white officer fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed black man, in August 2014. The Department of Justice released a report in March suggesting a history of racial bias.

Read the full news release below. Julie Kliegman