Handling a Warrant For Your Arrest

By: Kat Saks August 8, 2012
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Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. If your mistake resulted in a warrant for your arrest, you need to know how to move forward.

Read on for suggestions on how to get started.

Search For Arrest Warrants Online

If rumor has it there is a warrant to arrest you, you might want to confirm the truth of the matter with a warrant check.

To start, you can search for arrest warrants online. Some third party websites offer nation-wide background checks and reports on outstanding arrest warrants.

In an online search for warrants, you can learn about many aspects of your arrest warrant, including, but not limited to:

  • Date of the offense.
  • Date charges were filed.
  • Description of the offense.
  • Case type (i.e., felony or misdemeanor, whether it's grand theft auto or a traffic ticket).
  • Date of conviction, sentencing, disposition, and probation, if applicable.
  • Any fines.

These basic police reports will give you a first glance at the basics of your arrest warrant.

Bring Your Arrest Warrant to a Lawyer

If you don't feel comfortable navigating the twists and turns of the legal system, consider hiring an attorney to help you with your case.

A lawyer can help you understand the arrest warrant and provide advice on your best next steps. Also, a lawyer can accompany you to your local courthouse to help address the issue.

Contact the Court About Your Arrest Warrant

Once you understand the reasons for your arrest warrant, you will probably want to contact the court to begin addressing the issue. If you hired a lawyer, bring your lawyer with you. Otherwise, consider asking to speak to the court clerk and ask for information on your next steps.

When you have a warrant out for your arrest, you risk creating a criminal history or a criminal record. You might not be able to completely clean the record on your offense, but you might be able to avoid steeper fines and more severe punishment if you address your arrest warrant as soon as possible. Consider talking to a criminal defense attorney to get help.

Have you ever had a warrant out for your arrest? What did you do? Share your experience in the comments section below.

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