4 Things You Can’t Do When a Warrant is Out for Your Arrest
In California, if there is a warrant out for your arrest, you will not have the same freedoms as if there was no warrant issued for your arrest. It doesn’t matter if the warrant for your arrest is for a misdemeanor or a felony, or if it is a bench warrant for a probation violation or arrest warrant for failure to appear; if you have a warrant out for your arrest, you may not be able to travel, work or drive.
1. You Won’t Be Able to Fly
Security protocols for airlines include checking specific databases for passenger information. This is especially true on international flights. If you have an outstanding warrant, your name will likely come up in a database and you will not be able to board the plane for domestic flights. International passengers who have outstanding warrants will not be able to clear the background check for a visa, nor will they be able to enter a different country. In most cases, if a warrant for your arrest is discovered while you are attempting to travel, you will be arrested.
2. You Won’t Be Able to Enter a Military Base
You will not be able to enter a military base even if you already have a pass if there is a warrant for your arrest. If you are subject to an outstanding criminal warrant for any reason, any access you have to a military base will be revoked and your application for access will be denied. 1
3. Your License Could Be Suspended
You may be forced to find alternate ways to travel to work and school when you have a warrant out for your arrest. If you have an outstanding warrant, the court will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV will suspend your driver’s license until the warrant is cleared and you have proved to the DMV the warrant no longer exists. 2
4. You Will Lose Government Benefits (Welfare and Institutions Code 11486.5)
California law prohibits any person who is fleeing from felony prosecution to be approved for food stamps. Under California Welfare and Institution Code Section 11486.5, having an outstanding warrant for a felony and some misdemeanors qualifies as you as a fleeing felon. 3 The Social Security Administration can also suspend your benefits if you have an outstanding warrant for a felony or a crime for which the punishment is prison or death. 4
If you have an outstanding warrant, it is important that you contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. If you are caught by law enforcement while there is a warrant out for your arrest, you will likely be arrested on the spot. The problem is you may not even know you have an outstanding warrant until it is too late. Your criminal defense attorney can investigate any warrants that may have been issued against you and help you determine the best way for you resolve this serious legal matter.
Do You Have a Warrant Out for Your Arrest? Call Wallin & Klarich Today
If you are accused of a crime, contact an attorney at Wallin & Klarich immediately. Our attorneys may be able to negotiate with the court for a bail reduction or an “O/R release” saving you a considerable amount of money. Our California criminal attorneys may even be able to help you avoid spending any time in jail.
With offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, the California criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have been successfully representing our clients for over 40 years. We have the knowledge and experience necessary to help you successfully handle your California arrest warrant.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.
1. [http://www.pendleton.marines.mil/About/BaseInformation/BaseAccess.aspx]↩
2. [https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/vctop/vc/d6/c2/a3/13365 ]↩
3. [http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/getinfo/acin00/pdf/I-49_00.PDF]↩
4. [https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/1602105006]↩
Hey I just got a warrant for not paying some stuff I had to pay its an misdeaminor warrant an I don’t want to go to jail what can I do please help!
Hi Marco,
We may be able to help you! Contact us at (877) 466-5245 so we can discuss your case and how we can help you.
We look forward to your call.
If u are told that you have 2 outstanding warrants and owe court fees, does that mean you have felony warrants? Or can they also be mistameanor warrants? Also is it possible that the reasons for the outstanding warrants are because of the court fees fees owed etc.?
Hi Oscar,
Yes, it is possible that you could have had a warrant issued for you because you failed to pay court fees. There are many possible reasons a warrant would be issued for you. If you wish to have the warrants recalled, please contact our law firm at (877) 466-5245 so we can begin to help you.
We look forward to your call!
I owed child support in California. I paid it. I traveled internationally and was never stopped. I flew New Jersey (internationally) and then into California (locally). I flew out the same way. But I checked a government web site, it states I have a warrant.
Hi Ignacio,
You should speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss how you could get your warrant cleared. Contact our law firm at (877) 466-5245 so we can discuss how we may be able to help you.
We look forward to your call.
Can you travel on a cruise to Mexico from California if you have an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in California?
Hi Valerie,
If you attempt to travel while there is a warrant out for you, it is very possible that you will be arrested. You should contact our law firm at (877) 466-5245 so we can discuss your case and find out if we can help you get the warrant cleared.
We look forward to your call.