Obtaining a bench warrant is an important step in defending yourself in court. The warrant is issued by a judge to order law enforcement to detain the suspect and to bring him to court on a certain date. Typically, a person will receive a notice in the mail before the bench warrant is issued. However, this does not guarantee that the person will be arrested on the day of the hearing.
If you are facing a bench warrant, you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced criminal defense attorney can explain the charges, and help you understand your rights. They will also be able to represent you in court and help you to voluntarily appear.
Typically, a bench warrant is issued because a defendant failed to appear in court for a particular scheduled hearing. This may include failing to pay child support or a fine, missing jury duty, or a grand jury indictment. If the defendant is convicted of the offense, the case can result in jail time and fines. In some cases, the defendant may be held in contempt of court, which can result in even more fines and jail time.
In some counties, you can check your warrant online or by calling your local sheriff’s department. You can also contact a bail bondsman to inquire about your warrant. These agents can check your warrant for free. If you are in need of an experienced attorney to help you clear your warrant, contact the Law Offices of Scott Gross, P.C. in Orange County.
A bench warrant can be issued for any reason, and it may be in any location. For example, it can be issued if a person fails to show up for a traffic ticket. In addition, the warrant can be issued for any violation of court rules, including failure to comply with a bail condition. A bench warrant is valid until the person is no longer in prison.
Whether you are the defendant in a bench warrant case, or the witness, it is important to know your rights. In some situations, the judge will dismiss the case if you can prove that you are not in contempt of court. Depending on your specific situation, the judge might automatically rule in favor of the other party, or may give you a second chance.
If you are a defendant in a bench warrant case, you can request a hearing to recall the bench warrant. At this hearing, you will be able to tell the judge why you failed to appear in court. If the judge decides to drop the bench warrant, you will not be arrested.
Generally, the police will only attempt to arrest you if they can see a bench warrant in your name. You should be aware that they can also determine your exact location, which can lead to an arrest. If you are a witness in a bench warrant case, you should be careful about what you say when you are asked to confirm your identity.
