How To Deal With A Bench Warrant
You see it on television all the time. Some guy gets pulled over for speeding or not having a headlight on or during a drunk driver checkpoint and the officer radio in the information off of the guy’s identification. Suddenly, he is surrounded by police and one of them is slapping handcuffs on him. When he nervously asks what is going on, he is told by the officer that he has bench warrant. To prevent this from ever happening to you, it might be a good idea for you to learn how this can be issued against you, before it is too late.
When you are given a speeding ticket, any other moving violation, or become involved in any situation where you are issued a citation, there is always a date listed on it for an appearance, by you, at the local court. Depending on what the case before the judge is your presence may weigh heavily on what the outcome will be. If you cannot appear on a given date, you have two choices: contact the court clerk and reschedule, or retain a lawyer to appear on your behalf, prepared with a reasonable excuse for your absence.
Failure to appear in the court altogether will just land you into huge trouble. Given cause, the judge who would have otherwise adjudicated your case will issue a bench warrant for your arrest, because you have just committed contempt of court, which is punishable by fines and a stay in the local jail. Not showing up makes you look guilty and makes it a lot worse than it might have been.
Still, the bench warrant may be activated in the system but not immediately served. The police will probably start looking for you at your last known address immediately. If you have moved since you last appeared before the court or since that ticket was written, it will take them time to track you down but they will. That is how that outstanding warrants scenario gets played out: the guy had moved since that warrant had been issued, so he did not get caught until his information was entered for the traffic stop.
If you knowingly blew off court, there is probably a warrant out on you, so retain a lawyer immediately. With the lawyer’s help, you can turn yourself in, make bail and get ready for your next court appearance. If you are arrested before you can do the first option, you might want to use that phone call to retain a lawyer, so you get the chance to make bail, and arrange for the next court date.
If you are arrested because of a bench warrant, remember that you do not have to talk with the police without a lawyer present. Call Phil Averbuck today to protect your rights for a solid defense.