How Do I Find Out if I Have an Arrest Warrant?
If police officers have a warrant for your arrest, they can arrest you at any time, including at a traffic stop with your family in the car, at your place of work, or in front of your home. Law enforcement agencies often do not affirmatively act on arrest warrants, meaning they do not always track down suspects right away. Instead, they might wait until they pull you over or encounter you in another situation when they run your background check. This means that many people have arrest warrants out there, and they do not even realize it.
Knowing that you have an arrest warrant can help you handle the matter in the least offensive manner. You can do this with the assistance of a Denton, TX, criminal defense attorney.
Searching for Warrant Information
You always have the option to walk into the Denton County Sheriff’s Office and ask them if you have an arrest warrant, but if they learn that you do, officers will place you under arrest right then and there. This is not an ideal scenario.
Instead, you can search online on a public records site that can tell you whether you have a warrant. While there are sites available to the general public, you want to be sure you are conducting a complete and reliable warrant search. Criminal defense lawyers have access to official databases, so you can always seek assistance from an attorney to conduct a search for you.
Texas Warrant Roundup
Each year, law enforcement agencies in counties throughout Texas fan out and search for people who have arrest warrants. If officers contact you during this time, avoid simply paying the fine or pleading guilty to an offense. Instead, reach out to a criminal defense lawyer immediately who can assess your options.
What Happens if You Have a Warrant?
If you have an arrest warrant, you want help from a Denton criminal defense attorney right away. Do not take any action until you have consulted with a reliable attorney. In some cases, your attorney will recommend that you turn yourself in, which avoids a surprise arrest in front of family, friends, or coworkers. For minor offenses, you might turn yourself in, be processed, and be released, all in a matter of hours. For more serious accusations, your lawyer can immediately address the issue of bond to help you get released as soon as possible.
When you are in custody, you should always exercise your Miranda rights and remain silent unless you have an attorney present. Anything you say to police can result in stronger evidence for the prosecutor.
Speak with a Denton Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you have concerns about an arrest warrant or learn that you have one, do not wait to speak with the Law Office of Brent Bowen, PLLC. Call 940-222-2488 or contact us online for additional information about how we might assist in your criminal matter. Any delay can hurt your case.
