For some, the idea of having an active warrant seems like something that could never happen to them. While for others, it is commonplace. Either way, having an active warrant and knowing you have an active warrant are two very different things. If you know you have an active warrant, there are steps you can take to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. If you don’t know you have an active warrant, then there’s a risk that you could find out at the worst time or place imaginable, such as getting arrested while you’re at work or in front of your children. That’s why it is extremely important that if you even suspect you could have an active warrant, that you find out whether you do or not as soon as possible.
How Can I Find Out If I Have an Active Warrant in California?
There are a couple of different kinds of warrants. One type is an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant is issued if a person is suspected of committing a crime. Another type of warrant is a bench warrant. A bench warrant is issued if a person has been found to be in contempt of court. Examples of reasons someone could be found to be in contempt of court include:
- Violating a court order
- Failing to pay a fine
- Missing a court date
If you suspect you have an active warrant in California, there are steps you can take to find out if you have an active warrant or not. The following are steps you can take to find out if you have an active warrant in California:
- Run a criminal background check on yourself
- Check the Superior Court of California’s website
- Check your local sheriff’s office’s website
- Check your local court’s website
In addition to arrest warrants and bench warrants, there are also search warrants. Search warrants give law enforcement permission to search anywhere that could contain evidence of illegal activity, including a person, home, car, or workplace.
What Should I Do If I Have an Active Warrant?
If you find out you have an active warrant in California, you have no time to waste. You need to take steps to ensure that authorities know that you’re willing to cooperate before things escalate. Here are the steps you should take if you have an active warrant in California:
- Speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. They will know exactly what steps you should take to properly deal with the situation.
- Depending on what your attorney advises you to do, you may need to contact a bail bondsperson to post bail if that is an option available to you.
- Again, depending on the advice of your attorney, you may have to turn yourself in to the police. However, do not make any statements to the police without your attorney present.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experienced Criminal Defense Attorneys
No matter whether you have had an active warrant before or not, it is scary. However, you don’t have to go through it alone, and you shouldn’t go through it alone. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can guide you through the process, help you understand what is happening, and provide you with the best options for your situation. At Appel & Morse, our criminal defense team has over 40 years of combined experience. We have successfully helped many clients deal with warrants and the accompanying criminal charges. We work side-by-side with our clients, protecting their rights and fighting to secure the best possible results for their situation.
Review our clients’ testimonials to learn more about how we’ve helped each of our clients through one of the worst times in their life.
To schedule a free criminal consultation with our experienced criminal defense attorneys, call us at (805) 467-6060 or get in touch with us online. Our appointment schedule is flexible, including evenings and weekends We offer flat fees and payment plans.