An arrest warrant may seem a deadly thing, but it is merely of the court’s way to take you to a judge. The judge will decide the penalties, jail duration, and other charges when you appear in court. Depending on the crime you’ve committed, you might only have to pay a few fines to resolve the matter for a lifetime.

What are Types of Warrants?

There are two types of warrants: bench warrants and arrest warrants. Both of these warrants have different purposes.

Arrest

The authorities issue these warrants for several reasons. If you come into this category, you need to check the reason first to deal with it. Perhaps you forgot to perform community service or avoided going for a parole check-in, resulting in arrest warrants.

Bench Warrants

Bench warrants are not as serious as arrest warrants. However, it can also result in arrest if you don't take the right steps. A judge issues these warrants in civil or criminal cases if the convicted person misses a court date or doesn’t follow the court's order. In Texas, these warrants can be issued for not paying child support, failing to pay traffic penalties, or not attending jury duty.

Although a bench warrant may not lead to the police trying to find you as they do with arrest warrants, they can arrest you if they find you violating laws. You can hire a lawyer to quickly get rid of the bench warrants by paying all the fines and penalties. The lawyers can easily handle these warrants on the same day you have been arrested.  

How is a Warrant Enforced?

When the court issues a warrant for you, the police have the right to arrest you anywhere, be it your office, home, hotel, or hospital, and at any time. In fact, they can harshly deal with you if you struggle not to come with them. They can pull you out of the car or arrest you in any public place.

But before that, the police officers have to approach you, show their identification, and allow you to see the warrant they have. Note that the warrant document should have your name and other details. It will have the complete information of the charges and your crime. Note that there is no time limitation on the validity of the warrant. The police officers can use it until they arrest you and take you to jail. You also need to understand that you will have to face third-degree felony charges if you harm any police officer during the arrest.

Will you be jailed After Warrant?

The warrant goes on the state database soon after the courts issue it. This warrant is accessible to all the law-enforcement institutions in the state, and they have the authority to arrest you anywhere and anytime. But in most cases, warrants are not issued for serious crimes, and authorities don't implement them immediately.

Additionally, you need to understand that an arrest doesn’t mean that you committed the crime. This is why you may not have to go to jail. Officers only detain you to get information and investigate. In the case of bench warrants, you can easily get out by paying bails, surety, and bonds. Several bail bondsmen can provide you with bail bonds in Austin, TX. So, opt for one that can help you get bail as soon as possible.

Steps to Take For Arrest Warrant

Before doing anything, the simplest thing you need to do is to check your arrest warrant. You can do this by visiting the Harris County Sherriff site. This website has all the information about current warrants in Texas. They search your name in the warrant database on the platform. If there is any warrant for you, you will see your name. If you see that there is a warrant out for your arrest, try to stay calm and don’t panic. Keep in mind that there are several legal routes to address this problem.

The first thing you need to do is to call your attorney. Choosing a lawyer with the expertise to deal with your specific charges is the best option for you. This will also reduce any chances getting into further problems. Your hired professional will help you organize the surrender process and negotiate your bail. They can also help you get bail as soon as possible so that you have to spend less time in jail.

If you have a simple bench warrant, your lawyer will arrange a payout for your fines and penalties. They may also appear in front of a judge on behalf of you to conclude the matter. Your attorney will choose the method depending on your circumstances and charges.

Bottom Line

If there is an arrest warrant for you out there, you don’t need to fret. Just make sure to contact your lawyer and follow their leads to resolve the problem as soon as possible.