If you believe or have discovered there is a warrant out for your arrest, it is critical you immediately contact a skilled Vista criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

It is important to understand the differences between an arrest warrant and a bench warrant. An arrest warrant is a court-issued document provided to the police ordering for the arrest of a specific person. These warrants are generally issued after you have been indicted by a grand jury or if the police have a reasonable cause to suspect you have committed a crime.

There is no rule requiring the police to arrest you immediately for a crime they believe you committed.  Often the police  send their findings to the District Attorney who can  file the case and and request a judge to issue a warrant for your arrest.  If you have been contacted by the police but not arrested you should call a criminal defense lawyer immediately.

On the other hand, a bench warrant is issued when a person has failed to appear at a mandatory court appearance. These are the most common form or warrants in California. These warrants call for the immediate arrest and detention of the person named.

Most people who have been put on probation for  a misdemeanor or felony are required to complete programs specific to their crimes.  If you fail to attend or complete these mandatory programs, a bench warrant for your arrest will be issued.

If you are arrested for a violation of probation after being convicted of a felony, you can be held without bail.  You will not only risk being arrested, but also face further punishment for violating probation.  You can then be resentenced for up to the maximum for the crime.

When you believe you have either type of warrant out for your arrest, do not try to handle the issue on your own. After all, if you wouldn’t go to trial without a lawyer, why would you represent yourself in front of a judge in these circumstances without a legal representative?

By contacting a professional, you may be able to have the warrant revoked and avoid jail time. An attorney can help prepare you with the proper documentation and information to ensure you receive a fair and reasonable bail amount. In some cases, he may even be able to attend court without you.

If you have any questions about warrants, please call The Law Offices of Peter M. Liss at (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Creative Commons Image by Steve Rhodes.