If you have a warrant or think you may have a warrant, you should address it as soon as possible. Ideally, the first step should be consulting with an attorney to discuss your options. Both arrest warrants and bench warrants are court orders that can be found in LEIN (law enforcement information network), so interactions with the police in which you are asked for identifying information can lead to your arrest.
Bench warrants are issued after a person has failed to appear for a court date or failed to satisfy a court judgment. Arrest warrants are requested by the police and ultimately issued by a judge or magistrate when they believe that there is probable cause that a person committed a crime.
The second step is actually going to the court that issued the warrant and appearing for arraignment. It’s not easy walking into a court not knowing if you will be arrested but it’s typically better than being arrested on the warrant. At arraignment, the judge will address bond—determine if you can be trusted to remain free and return or whether you should go to jail until the next court date. The best strategy is to be prepared!
If you have questions or have discovered that you have a warrant, contact Great Lakes Legal Group today!