Steps To Take If There Is A Warrant Out For Your Arrest
Discovering there is a warrant out for your arrest can be a scary experience. In the United States of America, an arrest warrant can be issued for various reasons. For example, it can be issued because someone is suspected of committing a criminal activity or because a person failed to appear in court. If there is a warrant out for your arrest, it is crucial that you understand how to address the situation. Below, we share important steps to take if you have an outstanding arrest warrant.
Step #1: Contact an Attorney
The first thing you should do is contact a criminal defense attorney. An outstanding arrest warrant is not a matter that you should attempt to handle on your own. A skilled criminal defense attorney will know the law and applicable procedures and can guide you on your legal options. Additionally, if you end up getting charged, an attorney can help you build a strong defense strategy that can enable you to have your charges dropped or reduced.
Step #2: Contact the Court That Issued the Warrant
After you contact a defense attorney, they will do this for you. Your attorney will contact the court and verify that the warrant is valid. If the warrant is valid, your attorney will advise you on the best way to proceed.
When checking if the warrant is valid, your lawyer can investigate if there is a chance that the warrant can be recalled. For example, if the court issued the warrant because you failed to appear in court, your attorney can investigate if your failure to appear in court was a result of a mistake made by the court, such as failing to notify you of the date of the hearing.
Step #3: Prepare for Your Arrest or Surrender
With the help of your defense attorney, prepare to be arrested or to surrender, depending on the specifics of your case. Your attorney can help you understand the process of being arrested. And if you are required to surrender, your attorney can make arrangements regarding the time and place of your surrender.
It is vital that if you are arrested before you’ve had a chance to retain an attorney, you request to speak to one immediately and avoid answering police questions until you’ve spoken to an attorney. The Fifth Amendment gives you the right to remain silent, and it is in your best interest to invoke this right.
Step #4: Speak to a Bail Bondsperson
Before your arrest or surrender, you and your attorney can speak to a bail bondsperson who can assist you in arranging to post bail if that is an option. A bail bondsperson is someone who provides bail bonds for individuals who don’t have the money to post the entire bail. Speaking to a bail bondsperson before your arrest or surrender can shorten your stay in jail by allowing you to post bail immediately after it is assigned.
Contact an NYC Criminal Defense Attorney
If there is a warrant out for your arrest, contact our skilled and dedicated NYC criminal defense attorney, Mark I. Cohen, for help dealing with the situation.
