5 Things You Can’t Do If You Have a Warrant for Your Arrest 

In southern California, an arrest warrant authorizes police officers to arrest and detain you for a suspected crime. A warrant for your arrest in California can seriously limit your freedom, preventing you from performing everyday tasks. Whether it’s an arrest warrant for a felony or misdemeanor or a bench warrant for a probation violation, you may be facing travel restrictions, suspension of driving privileges, and loss of income. Therefore, you should contact our experienced defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich in Orange County as soon as possible after an arrest warrant to clear your name and preserve your freedom. Below, we’ve outlined a few of the things you cannot do when there is a warrant out for your arrest. 

1. You May Not Fly 

If you have an arrest warrant, you may be detained or arrested at the airport if you try to fly. All airports in the United States require security protocols that include checking their databases for passenger information and any outstanding warrants among them. For domestic flights, your name will appear in the database along with your arrest warrant, preventing you from boarding the plane. For international flights, you will be unable to clear the background check when you apply for a visa or when you attempt to enter another country with your passport. If you have an arrest warrant and urgently need to travel, your best bet is to retain an experienced attorney who can petition for a stay or hold on your warrant so that you may travel without getting arrested. 

2. You May Not Drive 

To make matters worse, you may also lose your driving privileges when a warrant is out for your arrest. If you have an outstanding warrant, the court will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which will then suspend your driver’s license until the warrant is recalled. When an officer runs your plate or checks your license, your arrest warrant and license suspension will show up. If you continue to drive on your suspended license, you may face additional charges. This means that you may be forced to find alternative modes of transportation to work, school, or anywhere else you may wish to go. 

3. You May Be Arrested in Public Places 

You may find yourself constantly on edge when facing an arrest warrant. This is because, with an arrest warrant, law enforcement officers can arrest you at any time when you are in public. Whether you are at work, school, or a restaurant, an officer who knows of your warrant can arrest you on the spot. The officer only needs to show that he has been informed about the warrant’s existence. 

4. You May Lose Your Government Benefits 

Under California Welfare and Institution Code Section 11486.5, an individual is not eligible for government aid if he is fleeing to avoid prosecution for a felony or violating a condition of probation or parole. Government programs like Social Security will consider you a fleeing felon and deem you ineligible for benefits. This may greatly impact your financial stability and hinder your ability to provide for your loved ones. 

5. You May Not Enter a Military Base 

Finally, you may not enter a military base with an arrest warrant. This means that if your employment depends on your access to military or government property, you may lose your means of income. Even if you already have a pass to enter a base, your arrest warrant will result in your access being revoked. If you were in the process of applying for access, your application will be denied. 

Contact Wallin & Klarich Today 

If you have an outstanding warrant for your arrest, your freedoms may be at stake. Even if you are ultimately found to be innocent, an arrest warrant is at best an inconvenience and at worst, an abstract handcuff. As such, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss the best way to resolve the warrant against you. With over 40 years of experience, our attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have helped thousands of clients clear their names and regain their freedom after an arrest warrant. We can help you, too. 

With offices in Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, Torrance, West Covina, Los Angeles, and San Diego, you are sure to find an available Wallin and Klarich office near you. Discover how our team can assist you. Contact us today, toll-free at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free consultation with a skilled defense attorney.