Finding out that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest can be jarring. In some cases, a person may not even be aware there is a warrant until they are stopped for a traffic violation or receive a court document alerting them to it. Either way, resolving the warrant with the help of an experienced criminal attorney is the best course of action.
Let’s examine the typical reasons why an outstanding warrant may exist, the risks of not resolving the warrant in a timely manner and how to go about resolving the warrant with the help of a criminal defense lawyer.
Common Reasons for an Outstanding Warrant
There are many reasons a warrant may be out for someone’s arrest. A missed court date, violating probation terms or criminal allegations could be the cause of the warrant. Other possible reasons include a missed jury duty summons, failure to pay court fees or fines, and an assertion that a court order, such as a restraining order, was violated. There is always the possibility that an individual is being accused of a crime.
Regardless of the reason for the warrant, it is critical that it be handled quickly and with the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Risks of an Outstanding Warrant
There are many risks associated with having an outstanding warrant out for your arrest. There is the possibility that an individual could be arrested at any time, either at work, at home or during a traffic stop when law enforcement becomes aware of the warrant.
There is also the risk that a person with a warrant may face additional penalties or charges, such as failure-to-appear charges or fines. An accused person’s license could be suspended until the issue is resolved or they may have difficulties finding employment, as their background check would uncover the warrant.
Resolving an Outstanding Warrant
To resolve a warrant before it impacts an individual’s life, the first step is for your legal counsel to contact the clerk’s office at the court where the warrant has been issued to obtain all the details of the warrant. Your lawyer can then help you schedule a time to appear before a judge to resolve the issue, whether it is to pay a fine, complete community service, or take other actions ordered by the court.
There are several options for handling an arrest warrant, including arranging for a court date to discuss options with a judge, voluntarily surrendering to the court to show compliance and discussing with an attorney how to resolve the issue within the justice system.
Do you have questions about an outstanding warrant? Talk to our team at the Law Office of Patriock Conway. Contact us through our site or call us directly at 978.473.7599.