how to have an attorney find out if you have a warrant

What is an arrest warrant?

A judge or magistrate issues an arrest warrant on behalf of the state, which authorizes an individual’s arrest and detention, or the search and seizure of an individual’s property. A warrant may be outstanding if the person named in the warrant is intentionally avoiding law enforcement, unaware that there is a warrant out for their arrest.

How to find out if you have a warrant?

You can find out if you have an outstanding or active warrant by looking up your name on your local court’s website. A court website may have searchable public records and criminal records section with information about outstanding warrants available to the general public. If the website does not have a searchable public records section, ...

Is a civil case a public record?

Certain civil cases may not be public records. States have different rules about which civil cases are public records. The cases that are most unlikely to be public records are family (dependency or divorce) and juvenile delinquency cases.

What happens if you have an outstanding warrant?

Depending on the type of warrant, you may be able to take care of it by simply showing up in court and paying a fine. Unlike an arrest warrant, a bench warrant is not issued based on suspected criminal activity. A bench warrant is most typically given if a person failed to appear in court, ...

How to avoid a warrant?

Have your case number, name, birth date, and if possible, Social Security number, in hand. Avoid identifying yourself as the person for whom a warrant was issued. You should not have trouble getting an answer about a criminal case, most data in criminal cases are public records. Certain civil cases may not be public records.

Is domestic violence a public record?

Civil domestic violence cases, which involve protective, peace, or restraining orders, are also unlikely to be public records. If you believe that records from your case will be restricted, consider working with a bail bondsman or an attorney.

What is a warrant for a search?

The warrant authorizes the police to search a person, a residence, a vehicle, a business place, etc. You should check with a criminal defense lawyer before you choose to show up at the courthouse, though, as you risk being taken into custody when you identify yourself.

What is an arrest warrant?

An arrest warrant is issued by a judge at the local or federal level authorizing the police to arrest you and force you to appear in court for a specific charge. Probable cause has to exist for an arrest warrant to be issued, meaning that law enforcement believes they have enough information or evidence of your involvement in a crime ...

Do attorneys have access to databases?

Attorneys have access to legal databases that you and the general public do not , allowing them to quickly run searches for active warrants. An attorney may do this free of charge, but some may require payment.

What to do if you have an outstanding warrant?

The number one goal is don’t make the situation worse. Do get legal advice. Retaining an attorney is going to cost money but they can help you understand the charges, your options, and potential penalties.

Can you call the police if you have an active warrant?

You might not want to walk into your local police station, but so long as you’re able to provide your first name, last name, and date of birth, the police can tell you over the phone if there’s an active warrant for your arrest. You can also have a friend or family member call on your behalf.

Do warrants expire?

Arrest warrants to do not expire and they don’t just go away. People have been arrested on warrants that issued over 40 years ago. Do get a copy of the arrest warrant. You’ll want to know the date it was filed, the location, the charges, and all relevant information to your case. Don’t run from law enforcement.

How do you know if you have an active warrant?

To find out if you have an arrest warrant, you’ll have to figure out which county the warrant might be in. Once you’ve found the county, call that county’s sheriff’s office. Some areas might give you the information right away while others require you to visit the sheriff’s office.

Should you hire an attorney before you get arrested?

When you suspect that the police might accuse you of a crime, it’s best to hire an attorney as soon as possible. Even if nothing happens, you’ll still have a relationship with an attorney to help you with future legal issues. If you do get arrested, you’ll be able to call your attorney right away and start getting the legal assistance you need.

What to do if you missed a court hearing?

If you missed a court hearing you were ordered to attend or know other reasons to believe a bench warrant or arrest warrant has been issued, you need to consult an attorney and take care of it immediately to get the warrant lifted. Judges issue bench warrants most often for failure to appear, unpaid fines, probation violations ...

How to check if you have a warrant?

This is the best way to check if you have a warrant since a bench warrant attorney can see if you have a warrant in any court system and resolve the cause of the warrant while minimizing penalties and keeping you out of jail. Contact your U.S. District Court.

Can you be arrested for a bench warrant?

Police usually don’t immediately come to find you for a bench warrant. However, if you have an active bench warrant during any police stop, you may be arrested and held in jail to appear in front of the court.

What is bench warrant?

A bench warrant is a warrant for arrest issued by a judge in a criminal or civil case for failure to appear in court (“FTA”), violating probation or failure to obey any court order such as paying a fine. Bench warrants can also be issued if you’re indicted by a grand jury.

How to recall a bench warrant?

You can recall or clear a bench warrant by appearing in court to resolve the reason the judge issued it. Your warrant attorney may be able to “ quash ” or clear the warrant without you appearing for misdemeanors and infractions. Felony charges require your appearance.

Do you have to post bail if you don't appear in court?

Once you’re in custody, you’ll have to post a bail bond before you can be released and given a new court date. Usually the bail for a failure to appear FTA warrant is high enough to pay off the court fines and costs both for the original matter and the FTA.

What is an O.R. release?

To be released after a bench warrant arrest or court appearance on the warrant: New bail must be set and paid for release or the judge convinced to release you on your own recognizance (also known as an “O.R. release”). The court will set a new court date if you missed an arraignment or court date.

Call the police department or court

You can first call the local law enforcement agency and ask over the phone whether or not they have any warrants issued for your name. Some people will choose to do this before calling their attorney because it doesn’t cost anything while using an attorney might require some money upfront.

Check Online

You may be able to go to the court’s website to see if there is an active warrant for your arrest. Some courts may have the information listed on their website. However, this varies from court to court. You can try your search at the state courts website.

Hire an attorney

Some people will hire an attorney to find out so that they can take steps to protect themselves before the police show up at their door and bring them into custody. The safest and most efficient method on how to find out if you have a Michigan warrant for your arrest is to hire an attorney.

What should you do if you find out there is a warrant for your arrest?

What if there’s a warrant for your arrest? What should you do? You may not want to wait until the police show up at your door and bring you into custody. If you do find that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you have the option of turning yourself into the police department. However, it is best not to go alone.

Contact a Lawyer for Help

If you do have an arrest warrant out and you decide to turn yourself in, then you really should consider contacting a lawyer. They can help prepare you for what’s to come next and they will be there by your side. You want someone on your side who can help defend you when talking to the police about the arrest warrant that’s been issued for you.

Contact Us

Always speak to an experienced criminal defense lawyer if you need legal help. If there is an outstanding warrant or you are worried that you may be arrested, Czarnecki & Taylor can help you step by step through the legal process.

Why Do a Warrant Check?

Warrant checks aren't just for law enforcement officers. You might have numerous reasons to search for warrants:

How to Check For Warrants Online

Fortunately, checking for warrants is usually pretty easy. You can search for arrest warrants online through third party websites.

Offline Warrant Checks

If you don't have access to a computer, you can still perform a warrant check offline. Call the county courthouse or law enforcement agency and ask for information. Some counties will only provide limited information over the phone.