The worry of not knowing whether there is a warrant for your arrest can be crippling, especially because being in police custody may lead to your detention. Most people who suspect that they may soon face arrest would want to know whether law enforcement officers are after them. Knowledge is necessary, as it allows you to take the necessary steps.
However, the process of determining whether there is a warrant for your arrest is not always straightforward. Due to this, most people are caught by surprise when officers make abrupt arrests, leaving them in a vulnerable position. On the other hand, learning various sources of information to help you find an arrest warrant against you is beneficial. Upon finding the details, you can approach an attorney for further guidance and have him/her defer your arrest if possible.
Where to Search for a Warrant for Your Arrest
If you suspect that police officers may be planning to detain you for criminal charges, you want to work as fast as possible to ensure they have a valid arrest warrant. To do this, you can explore several websites or service providers to conduct professional searches and find the warrant. With your efforts to search for the warrant, you are better positioned to face the subsequent occurrences, including a court trial. The various ways of searching for a warrant of arrest issued against you are:
-
Run a Record Check on Your Name
Normally, the issuance of a warrant for arrest translates to a registered record in your name. This occurs because you are a suspect in criminal activities, and the warrant is a validation of your detention in preparation for trial. Subsequently, searching for your name in California record departments is a good way to begin your research to find results hopefully.
The opportunity to run through various records may require you to enter your identity details in the various websites, so we recommend having your ID number or Driver's license registration number with you when conducting searches.
One of the websites to visit is the criminal records section. As mentioned, an arrest warrant implies that you are about to face a criminal trial. Therefore, the persons in charge of updating these records will preempt your arrest and record your name as soon as the judge authorizes the warrant.
When searching the criminal records, you also want to enter your search in the appropriate offense section. Since you may know the type of activities leading to a possible warrant against you, you can browse through the sections to find your details fast.
Alternatively, you may also browse through the public records section to find any relevant information on the warrant. Usually, information on the public includes your name, identification numbers, and documents, as well as any pending orders against you. The database is a reserve for all registered citizens and has many uses.
Hence, upon opening your profile, you will see your details, including whether you have an active arrest warrant issued. On the other hand, your search may end on a positive note, having found that no warrant has been issued.
Thirdly, you may also search through records kept by government agencies. Like the public access records, your details include any pending court orders issued against you. This includes arrest warrants, if any, meaning that you can access the required details. However, you should note that some agency records require identity verification which may take a while.
-
Make an Inquiry in the County Sheriff's Department
Apart from running online searches, why not approach your nearest sheriff’s department for an in-person inquiry on the arrest warrant? The option is useful if you know the county where an arrest warrant is likely to be issued and what offense. For example, if you committed an offense in your area of residence, approaching the sheriff’s department may be an easier option if you know how to access the offices.
Once in the office, you will receive assistance from the personnel assigned to conduct searches for the general public. This online search is limited to the sheriff's department website, as each office stores data from the county it serves. Thus, it may be quicker to access records from the sheriff’s department compared to running through various online databases on your own.
When the personnel finds your details, he/she will provide the information and ask you to fill out any necessary forms to show your acknowledgment of the warrant. As a result, fighting off an arrest later becomes more difficult because you will be aware of the details, and the sheriff’s department has proof of it.
-
Request for Search Services from a Professional
Often, navigating the various websites, offices and databases may become challenging even for those with rich knowledge in conducting searches. Therefore, seeking the services of a professional is recommended to help conduct a thorough and expeditious search.
Among the many professionals to approach is your criminal defense attorney. He/she is likely to have a wealth of experience in handling arrest warrant cases based on the field of practice. Moreover, an attorney has access to additional services from trained paralegals who easily navigate multiple databases.
Therefore, you do not have to worry about missing your name or searching in the wrong field when working alone. A professional's touch would give you all the confidence you need to conclude the research and begin preparing for the resulting arrest if an arrest warrant was issued.
-
Conduct a Search on the Superior Court Site
Since a judge issues an arrest warrant in a superior court, the clerks working on various cases are responsible for updating the superior court website with any court orders and warrants. Normally, the updates are available shortly after the judge issues written orders, meaning that you can access the information within a short period.
We advise you to check your records in the correct court section, as the superior court details are separated according to several departments. You can also access the superior court details by visiting the department of justice website if you prefer their interface. They hold all the records as required, making it easier to navigate the records to find your arrest warrant.
How to Ensure You are Searching for the Correct Warrant
While the term "arrest warrant" applies to a broad range of reasons for arrest, a special distinction exists for offenses committed while offenders are in court for trial or mentions. Therefore, bench warrants are reserved for suspects who were already previously arrested and demonstrate unlawful behavior during their trial process. From the distinction, you may have an arrest or bench warrant issued against you.
Due to the differences in issuing the warrants, you should be aware of the type of offense you will face. This helps you determine the correct section to look for your arrest warrant details and avoid dealing with unforeseen police visits. One of the best ways to distinguish between the two types of warrants for arrest is by learning their characteristics, when they are issued and what they entail.
Attributes of a Regular Arrest Warrant
A warrant issued for your arrest mandates a law enforcement officer to apprehend you based on the reasonable cause you broke the law. It would operate as a justification for your arrest if no officers witnessed you breaking the law but have sufficient proof of your unlawful actions.
While the arrest warrant acts as an automatic ticket for your arrest, it must be issued following the necessary procedure. Usually, a presiding judge holds the discretion to issue the warrant based on various considerations.
Firstly, he/she may receive details from an authorized police officer concerning your illegal engagements. The details may be reported by a witness who was present when violating the law or investigating officers who tipped the peace officer about your activities.
Apart from providing the judge with details of the offense, the officer should also provide evidence to justify the need for your apprehension. Sources of proof may vary depending on the type of crime you are suspected of committing. For example, if you are involved in drug trafficking, details on your dealers, hideouts, and drug paraphernalia are important details for the judge to assess.
Alternatively, the judge can issue a warrant for arrest based on an indictment from the grand jury. The indictment may occur when a jury handles a separate case where you are mentioned as a prime suspect. You should note that the indictment can prevail even though you are not a party to the case handled by the jury at the time.
For example, the jury's current case may involve a carjacking where you escaped as an unidentified suspect. Thus, if sufficient details are available to hold you accountable, you may receive the arrest warrant from the indictment.
Further, knowing the format of an arrest warrant is important to help you determine whether you are searching for the correct document. Various details must be present in a valid warrant for arrest, especially because they help identify you. They include:
- Your name.
- The name of the judge issuing the arrest warrant.
- The type of charge you are likely to face.
- The location where the warrant is issued.
- The judge's signature, date, and the time of issuing the warrant.
- The name of the court issuing the warrant.
Attributes of a Bench Warrant
Without knowing the difference between a regular arrest warrant and a bench warrant, you may go through the wrong category of names. Consequently, you risk not finding details about your warrant, leading to a surprise arrest by officers later on. To avoid this, we recommend understanding the attributes of a bench warrant, as your information may be listed under this category. They include:
The Bench Warrant is Issued for Being in Contempt of Court
The main difference between a bench warrant and a regular warrant is its reason for issuance. While an arrest warrant is useful for most crimes, a bench warrant only applies for contempt of court offenses. Thus, most receptors are persons with an ongoing matter in court and can be in the criminal or civil division.
Failure to pay court fines on the specified dates is one reason for a warrant to be issued against you. The lack of adherence to the judge's orders amounts to contempt, so he/she is authorized to issue the order.
Secondly, missing a mandatory court appearance can also lead to the issuance of the warrant, especially if you have already defined a previous warning. The non-appearance is often taken as an attempt to avoid facing trial, meaning that you will delay the process of dispensing justice.
Thirdly, the judge may also issue other court directives during the proceedings, including maintaining order and abstaining from using offensive language. Defying these orders repeatedly can also prompt the judge to authorize a bench warrant in your name.
The Bench Warrant is Useful Until the Judge Recalls It
Unlike an arrest warrant that can be revoked, the bench warrant is actively applicable until the judge decides to recall it. Even so, he/she will only recall the warrant if you show signs of following the initial court orders, thus correcting your actions in contempt of court.
The Importance of Working With a Defense Attorney When Searching for Your Arrest Warrant
As mentioned, an attorney is one of the professionals you can approach to help you find out whether an arrest warrant against you exists. However, he/she plays a more vital role than searching. When the results show that a judge or jury ordered your arrest, you want to run several checks to determine whether the documents are accurate and correctly issued.
Your attorney can guide you on the appropriate steps to follow after finding out that the warrant is existent and valid. For better engagement, scheduling an in-person appointment with your lawyer should be a priority. During the meeting, you can discuss the best course of action to follow pending the apprehension.
Additionally, your lawyer's input is important if you are unsure of the reason for the arrest warrant. Cases of mistaken identity or inaccurate details are not uncommon, meaning that some people may face improper arrest. Thus, going through the warrant document to scan for errors in detail can save you from facing unfair detention and a bad experience overall.
Further, some reports leading to the issuance of the arrest warrant may be false or exaggerated. Since peace officers can act from a witness or complainant's tip, verifying the reason for the arrest is crucial. However, some parties may act maliciously to impose false accusations and fabricated evidence. Eventually, the details reach the judge's desk awaiting an official order. If no due diligence is conducted, you will face an unfair arrest, which contravenes your rights.
Due to all these reasons, your lawyer can help by presenting your case in court to clear the warrant. Before approaching the judge, he/she ensures that the reasons for warrant clearance are credible and justified by counter-evidence in your favor. For example, you can consolidate evidence proving a conspiracy to fabricate details leading to the arrest warrant in the case of false allegations. The motion may be challenging, but a skilled lawyer will do his/her best to secure a successful outcome.
Nonetheless, most arrest warrants are issued rightfully, meaning that you committed an offense. In these cases, denying your involvement is futile, as the judge will have already approved all the details presented against you. Subsequently, the best option is to prepare for your arrest by determining the bail amount you expect to pay.
Your lawyer can help you in the preparations by determining the charge you will face before the prosecutor presents the details. Afterward, he/she will run through the court website to confirm the amount of bail you can expect to pay after your arrest. During your meetings, you may further discuss the nature of the trial you will face and the possible defenses to present.
Find a Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me
Finding out if a warrant is issued for your arrest is vital to help you prepare for the possible outcomes. Moreover, it can help you dispute the warrant early enough, especially if you have valid reasons against its validity. In doing this, you will save yourself the stress and expenses faced after detention in jail, especially if the arrest warrant details were wrong. However, without the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, knowing whether an arrest warrant against you exists may be difficult.
To avoid facing major setbacks in your research, we recommend partnering with Leah Legal for the best criminal defense services in Van Nuys, California. Partnering with our team gives you access to prudent and expeditious legal assistance that aims at creating positive outcomes for our clients. Additionally, our experience in handling cases related to fighting off arrest warrants has equipped us with the necessary skills to support your case. If you require legal assistance in knowing whether an arrest warrant against you exists, contact us today at 818-484-1100.