Knowing that there is an active warrant against you is a terrifying experience to live through. Regardless of the reason for the warrant, or how serious or minor the charge is, your best option is to take action as soon as you can. The best way to do that is with the help of a criminal defense attorney. Keep reading to find out more about what steps can be taken. Then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for your free legal consultation.
Understanding the Different Types of Warrants
When California courts issue a warrant, there are two options: Bench warrant and arrest warrants. Which warrant applies to your case will depend on what the offense is. For example, if you are facing a charge for contempt of court, you will have a bench warrant issued. If you are facing a drug crime, you are more likely to have an arrest warrant issued.
A bench warrant is generally used for various types of contempt of court, such as not obeying court orders, not paying fines, or not appearing in court as required. Bench warrants are often issued with added fines and penalties, but they do not automatically lead to arrest. If you are picked up for something else then you will likely be arrested, but the police will not come looking for you.
On the other hand, an arrest warrant is issued when a person has committed a criminal offense. As you may have gathered from the name, these are warrants in which the police are going to attempt to arrest you and bring you to trial. This type of warrant should be handled sooner rather than later.
Do Warrants Always Mean I Will Go to Jail?
Not necessarily. Whether or not you will face jail time will depend on the specifics of the warrant and what has happened since the warrant was issued. If you are arrested for an arrest warrant, you are likely to go to jail. If you have a bench warrant you will likely only go to jail if you are pulled over or otherwise detained for another reason. If you take action on your own for a bench warrant, it will likely be cleared up without you spending a day in jail.
How to Remove a Bench Warrant or an Arrest Warrant
First, contact an attorney. They will contact the court to set up a hearing, which will take place before 8:30 in the morning. Attend the hearing and follow the instructions of the court. This may involve paying a fine, paying bail, or other actions.
Removing an arrest warrant is more complicated and the process will vary based on the charge and the specifics of the case. What is always true is that you can simply contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation to discover your options.