Receiving notice that there is an active warrant for you can be a terrifying experience. You and your loved ones may be worried about the process ahead or unsure of what consequences you will need to face; however, there is no need to panic. There are options to help you avoid jail and deal with your active warrant. Before getting into these options, it’s important to know what effect an active warrant can have on you and where you stand in the legal system.
Know Your Current Status
The first and most important thing for you to understand is your current status with the legal system. Before figuring out how to resolve your warrant, you should find out if that option is available to you. If the reason for your warrant is because of unpaid parking or traffic tickets, you can resolve it financially in various ways without facing arrest. However, if you missed a court date or violated or avoided your probation, resolving your warrant won’t be so simple. Whatever situation you are in, you can still make the best of it, but that begins with contacting your County or District clerk to find out legal information about your situation. You will need to provide some identification information before they can assist you, but once they explain to you your current legal status, you can find out what options are available to you to resolve it.
When Can Someone Be Arrested After the Warrant Is Issued?
In some cases, the warrant issued is for your arrest. In this case, the police are legally required to arrest you at anytime or in any place as soon as they locate you. For example, if you have an expired license plate and are pulled over by the police, they may discover that you have an active arrest warrant. They can and will arrest you at this point. If there is an active warrant for your arrest, you can be arrested even if you are a victim of a car accident. Depending on the situation, law enforcement may not actively search for you as soon as the warrant is issued, but if they find you, you will be detained immediately and taken into custody.
How to Deal with an Arrest Warrant
The best thing to do as soon as you realize that you have an arrest warrant is to deal with it right away. Even if you are not guilty of the crime that is described in the warrant, you should still address the situation to prevent further issues. In some cases, you may even be able to get the warrant cleared before you have the chance to get arrested. Arrest warrants are usually issued for serious crimes with complicated circumstances, which is why it is important to work with a bail bonds company that can help you make the right decisions moving forward. Here are some ways to deal with warrants.
If You Can, Pay Off Your Warrant
If you are in a situation where you have the option of paying off your warrant, you should do so as soon as possible. This is the fastest and simplest way to resolve your warrant, so you can go back to your life without the fear of further consequences. When you contact your County clerk’s office, you’ll find out exactly what is required for you to pay off your warrant, and the different payment options you can use. Depending on the situation, you may be able to pay the fee over the phone or online. If the warrant is for a more serious crime, your options will be limited.
Set Up the Payment Plan
Resolving your warrant may also be possible with a payment plan. If you cannot make an immediate payment, a payment plan can work as an alternative to help you manage the cost. If the legal system believes you are an honest and genuine person, they may be more willing to give you more options. These options can help you pay off the warrant without denting your budget and family situation.
Get Deferred Disposition
Depending on your legal status, another option includes eligibility for deferred disposition. This option is essentially a suspended sentence, which requires a plea. If you plead guilty or no contest, the Courts can assess your situation and provide you certain conditions to complete. This option is only available to you on or before your first court date. If you miss either of these crucial dates, your options will be limited.
If none of these options can work for you, your last option is to hire a bail bonds agent.
Get Help from PCS Bail Bonds
If you or someone you know has realized there is a warrant for them, it is important to act quickly and effectively. By following the tips mentioned above, you may be able to prevent an arrest altogether (depending on the crime) or manage the warrant payments to your benefit. Each situation has its own unique aspects, which is why you should consult the expertise and guidance of a bail bondsman.
PCS Bail Bonds can help you if you need to post bail. We provide 24-hour bail bonds for all kinds of charges including theft, drug possession, embezzlement, assault, and more. Our experienced agents can help you obtain a bond in a fraction of the time it takes with other agencies.
We have professional memberships in several renowned associations including the Professional Bondsmen of Texas, Tarrant County Bar Association, and Professional Bondsmen of Tarrant County. We serve clients in Fort Worth, Texas, and other municipalities in Tarrant County. Contact us now by phone at 817-335-1655, at our e-mail, visit in-person, or fill out our bail bond request form.