A warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or other judicial officer
which authorizes a law enforcement officer to perform an action related
to justice. Generally, warrants are provided to arrest someone, search
and seize an individual’s property, or bring a person before the court.
In most cases, when a warrant for arrest is required, a notice may be sent
to you at the address shown on your ticket. This notice outlines the violations
charged against you and the fines associated with them.
An arrest warrant can be issued when you do one of the following:
- Fail to respond to a ticket within 11 days
- Fail to appear for the mandatory court date
- Fail to pay a fine assessed by a judge
- Fail to comply with the terms of probation
- Fail to comply with a community service order
- Fail to complete Driving Safety Course requirements and do not appear to
demonstrate cause
How to Find Out If You Have a Warrant
If you have the slightest doubt that there may be an arrest warrant issued
against you by a judge, you need to find out about it and take legal action
to avoid arrest and other complications. The following is how to find
out if there is a warrant against you:
-
Search for warrants online on a county website. A sheriff’s department might provide an online record of all active
warrants in the area.
-
Check for warrants online via a third-party vendor. If your county does not offer online warrant searches, you can also search
for warrants through third party websites. These vendors can provide background
checks for free or for a minimal fee.
-
Hire an attorney or a private detective. Attorneys possess access to databases that are not available to the general public.
Remember, do not approach a police officer and ask him or her to check
if there’s an arrest warrant against you. You wouldn’t want
him or her to instantly place you under arrest.
If you are facing criminal charges in Texas,
contact our Fort Worth criminal defense attorney at
Jerry Loftin & Associates and request a
free consultation today.