When There’s a Warrant for Your Arrest

An arrest warrant is a court-issued document that authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest the person named in the warrant and bring them to court. A judge can issue an arrest warrant for various reasons, including a defendant’s failure to appear in court or after law enforcement officers have presented credible evidence showing there is probable cause to suspect you committed a crime.

If you think there is a warrant for your arrest, do not ignore it. The criminal defense team at Just Criminal Law can verify whether there is a warrant for your arrest, help you clear the warrant, and minimize the disruption to your life.

Types of Warrants

Wyoming courts can issue two types of arrest warrants.

• A bench warrant is issued when a criminal defendant does not appear in court for a scheduled hearing, violates probation, or fails to pay court costs or fines. Once the judge issues a bench warrant, the police are authorized to arrest you and bring you to court.
• An arrest warrant is issued when a person is suspected of committing a crime. When an arrest warrant is issued, the police will actively look for you to place you under arrest.

An arrest warrant and a bench warrant are different from a search warrant. A judge can issue a search warrant that authorizes the police to search a specific location for specific items that may be presented as evidence that you committed a crime. Unlike a search warrant, which is limited to a specific location, once an arrest warrant has been issued, police can arrest a suspect anywhere they are found. For example, if a Wyoming court issued an arrest warrant and you are later stopped in Nevada for an alleged traffic violation, the Nevada police can arrest you.

What To Do When There Is a Warrant for Your Arrest

A judge can issue a bench warrant or arrest warrant for several reasons. Sometimes, you may not even know there is a warrant for your arrest. But having an outstanding arrest warrant can turn a routine traffic stop into a much more disruptive arrest.

Once the judge issues an arrest warrant, it does not expire. Many people are surprised to learn they are being arrested on a warrant that was issued years ago.

If you think there is a warrant for your arrest, contact Just Criminal Law as quickly as possible. We can help you address the arrest warrant. It is better to appear voluntarily with a lawyer present than to be brought into court in handcuffs. Our criminal defense team can help minimize the disruption to your life caused by the arrest warrant and reduce the likelihood and possible consequences of a conviction. We can coordinate an arraignment or other hearing with the warrant and request bail on your behalf. Scheduling the arrest can give you more control over managing your affairs and minimize the disruption the arrest warrant will have on your life. In some cases, if you appear voluntarily, the court will cancel the arrest warrant and release you on bond.

If you think there is a warrant for your arrest, contact our office as quickly as possible. Our team can contact the sheriff or court where you think there might be a warrant and verify whether an arrest warrant was issued. If a judge has issued an arrest warrant, we can help you address the situation as quickly as possible by making arrangements to clear the warrant and minimize the potential disruption to your life.

Why Contact Just Criminal Law When There Is a Warrant for Your Arrest

If the judge has issued an arrest warrant, there is a high likelihood you will be charged with a crime. Our team can analyze your situation, learn why the arrest warrant was issued, and work to minimize the severity of the consequences of the arrest warrant and its disruption to your life. Our team can reduce the likelihood that you will need to spend time in jail waiting for your case to be called. In many situations, we can have the arrest warrant cleared before you are placed under arrest. We can also make arrangements so you can turn yourself in and avoid having the police appear at your home or workplace to place you under arrest.

Just Criminal Law Protects Your One Shot at Justice

If you learn there is a warrant for your arrest, you should contact the criminal defense team at Just Criminal Law immediately. We can analyze your situation, provide legal advice, and represent you in court. We will work to minimize the disruption to your life and the consequences of having a warrant for your arrest. We can work with the police and prosecutor to minimize the impact of an arrest, protect you from making statements that could incriminate you, and reduce the likelihood you will be charged with a crime.

Just Criminal Law is based in Gillette, Wyoming, and proudly serves people in eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. Contact us today to schedule your personalized case review and strategy session.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is offered for educational purposes only. This information is not offered as legal advice. A person accused of a crime should always consult with an attorney before making decisions that have legal consequences.