How to Handle an Outstanding Warrant in Orange County

Posted on: October 4th, 2024 by Dod Law

Outstanding Warrant in Orange County

You cannot let an outstanding warrant go unaddressed in Orange County. If you have a warrant out against you, it is in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney and work with the criminal justice system. The longer you wait to address a warrant, the more severe the consequences of your delay may become.

The sooner you can get in touch with a lawyer from Dod Law, the sooner you can rely on our legal knowledge to challenge the accusations brought against you.

When Do California Judges Issue Warrants?

California judges issue warrants when police officers gather enough evidence to suggest that a particular party may have committed an arrestable crime. No judge may issue a warrant without “probable cause.” This means officers need to conduct a thorough investigation into your alleged behavior for you to have an outstanding warrant.

Upon issuing a warrant, a judge will include a person’s name, their charge, and the date on which the warrant was issued. Other information on a warrant will include the judge’s name, court, and the jurisdiction in which the judge precedes.

Officers can immediately use a warrant to arrest the person that the warrant names as allegedly liable for a crime. Officers operating on an outstanding warrant have a right to arrest the warrant’s subject at traffic stops, workplace environments, and private residences. 

How to Handle an Outstanding Warrant in Orange County

If you suspect that officers may soon arrest you on an outstanding warrant or that a judge may soon issue a warrant against you, we recommend that you:

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal defense attorneys are your primary point of contact with the criminal justice system. An experienced attorney can represent your best interests and prevent officers from violating your rights upon your arrest.

In some cases, a lawyer can argue that a judge needs to withdraw a bench warrant. However, if a judge issues a warrant against you because you failed to appear in court, you must appear alongside your lawyer to have your warrant waived.

Stay Local and Stay Calm

You need to remain in California if a judge issues a warrant against you. If you try to flee the state, the criminal justice system may classify you as a fugitive. If you’re arrested in another state while you have an outstanding warrant in Orange County, you may be forcibly returned to California.

You do not need to panic if you discover that you have a warrant out against you. Instead, get in touch with a lawyer as soon as possible. You can work with a criminal defense attorney to meet bail, as appropriate, or otherwise address any immediate action that a warrant requires of you.

An experienced attorney can argue that a court needs to reduce the bail it intends to charge you. We can then begin to formulate a defense that prioritizes your right to freedom while challenging the findings officers used to initiate a case against you.

Don’t Wait to Get in Touch With a Criminal Defense Attorney | Outstanding Warrant

If you’re under investigation or have an outstanding warrant that you haven’t addressed, don’t delay. Get in touch with Attorney Dod as soon as possible. Attorney Dod can prevent you from violating a pending bench or arrest warrant, thereby making it easier for you to work within the criminal justice system.

Don’t let false accusations of criminal misconduct get out of hand. Let Attorney Dod fight for the best possible resolution to your case. Contact us at our Santa Ana, Orange County office 949-681-7020 | San Diego office (619) 814-5110 | Vista office 760-814-6025 | or schedule an appointment by filling out our online contact form.