Having a warrant out for your arrest is no laughing matter. This experience can be very frightening and stressful, especially if you are not sure why there is a warrant for your arrest. There are different types of warrants, but one of the most common is known as a “bench warrant.”
A bench warrant is issued after you have violated the rules of the court, usually for failing to appear at a required hearing. The warrant is a written order that is issued by a judge and authorizes the police to detain you. The police treat these warrants like an arrest warrant and use it to bring you to jail. You will then appear in front of the judge to face what you have been accused of by the court.
Having a bench warrant doesn’t mean that the police are going to come knocking on your door to find you and serve out the warrant. When a bench warrant is issued, your name is placed into a statewide database. If you interact with police for any reason, even for incidents that are not your fault, you will be taken into custody. Any contact with the police or even attempting to renew your driver’s license, can result with you being arrested, handcuffed, and put in jail until your bond is paid on your behalf.
If you are aware that there is a bench warrant out for your arrest, you should contact the court clerk or the local police department to arrange to come in and pay the bail. You should then consult with an experienced attorney to determine what your available legal options are.
Are you currently facing a bench warrant? We can help. At Owenby Law, P.A., we care about you and your future. Our team of lawyers can walk you through your case and help make sure that you understand the full extent of what you have been charged with by the court. Let us put our skills and experience to work for you today.
Contact our Jacksonville team of criminal defense attorneys to get started on your free initial consultation today.