No one wants to walk around, knowing there is a warrant out for their arrest. Yet no matter how scary it can be to have a warrant out for your arrest, turning yourself in can be even scarier. At Chambers Law Firm we urge you to take action before the police do – this is not something that’s going to go away on its own. However, we also urge you to contact a criminal defense attorney before turning yourself in. You can reach us at 714-760-4088 for a free consultation.
The Type of Warrant is Relevant
First and foremost, it is important to understand that the type of warrant you have out against you will make a big difference in how you have it handled. For example, a bench warrant is issued by the judge and generally involves charges of violating court orders, failure to appear in court, or failure to pay fines for vehicle violations.
On the other hand, you have arrest warrants, which the court issues when they believe a person needs to be arrested for the initial crime. In short, a bench warrant is a warrant issued for a person’s response (or lack of response) to a crime while an arrest warrant is for a crime itself.
The Two Types of Warrants Are Handled Different
If you have an arrest warrant issued for you, then taw enforcement is looking for you. This is a situation in which you would end up turning yourself into custody so that they could process your case. On the other hand, a bench warrant generally involves the police taking you to court so that you can straighten out the offense.
Either way, the best way to handle either warrant is to work with an attorney. We can communicate with law enforcement and / or the court on your behalf to make it as simple as possible to resolve your warrant. We can ensure you say and do the right things to reduce your penalties as much as possible.
What to Do When You Turn Yourself In
The most important thing to keep in mind is that the police are not on your side. No matter how nice they may seem, they are representing a system that suspects you of a crime. Do not talk to the police other than to give them your name. Do not answer their questions. Doing so can put your case in extreme jeopardy.
While we recommend working with an attorney before you turn yourself in, if you have not already done so then ask for one after turning yourself in. Do not like to law enforcement but do not volunteer information either. Call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for help with your particular case.
