Warrants are issued for a variety of different ways; which will be covered in a moment.  What it means when a warrant has been issued, is that a Judge has issued a warrant for an individuals arrest in Los Angeles, and the judge sets a bail amount.  The warrant goes into a nationwide database, and if you are stopped by law enforcement, they will run your name, DOB, driver’s license #, etc.  If the query indicates you have a warrant, you will be placed under arrest and taken to the county where the warrant originated from.  Once there, you will see a judge within 48 hours (unless it’s the weekend- it could be 96 hours then) and the court will address the reason why the warrant was issued.

Why would there be a warrant out for my arrest???

Warrants issue for a variety of reasons an here are some of them:

•    You were given a citation by law enforcement for allegedly committing some crime.  You were released with a ticket to appear on a certain date and time and you do not show up to court on that specific time and date- a judge will issue a warrant.
•    You were investigated by law enforcement for some crime but they never contacted you.  The law enforcement agency that did the investigation submits it to the DA’s office where they then decide to file a case and a letter is sent to your address ordering you to appear in court on a certain time and date.  You do not show- a judge will issue a warrant.
•    Law Enforcement is investigating you for some crime.  The law enforcement officers can bypass the DA’s office and take their evidence directly to a judge.  The judge signs the warrant based on probable cause- you now have a warrant out for your arrest.  (In this scenario, law enforcement will then proceed to go to your home, place of work, etc to find you and place you under arrest)
•    You were placed on probation after being convicted of committing a crime or pled guilty to committing a crime.  At sentencing you were ordered to complete some program or some class, or pay fines, and you fail to do so- a judge will issue a warrant.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Warrants

If a warrant was issued for a misdemeanor case, a lawyer can appear Penal Code 977(a)- without you present and recall the warrant.  (this is not the case for Domestic Violence cases and DUI’s).

If a warrant was issued on a felony case, you will need to appear in court with your lawyer and will have to be ready to post the bail amount that was set when the warrant was issued.  If you do not, you will be taken into custody and will remain in-custody until your case has been resaolved.

If you or a loved one have had a warrant issued for your arrest, contact the experienced Southern California criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich.  We’ve have been helping criminal defendants for over 30 years.  Call us at (888) 280-6839 or visit us at www.wklaw.com.

The issue of an officer’s request for consent to search is very common in criminal cases and police encounters. You have no obligation to consent to a warrantless search. However, if you do give voluntary consent, you essentially waive an argument that the police did not have probable cause to search. Officers often suggest (or [...]

On September 24, 2010, Lindsay Lohan returned to jail after a Los Angeles Superior Court judge determined that she had violated a term of her probation by failing a drug test. Lohan informed her fans via Twitter last week that she had tested positive for an illicit substance.  On September 20, the superior court revoked [...]

There are a few different ways that a warrant may be issued for your arrest. An arrest warrant may be issued if you fail to appear in court on your criminal or traffic case, if you fail to pay as required, if you violate a term of your probation, and for many other reasons. At [...]