In Texas, it may be possible for an individual to get rid of an arrest warrant in Texas in a few different ways, which include:
- Paying fines
- Posting bond
- Appearing in court
- Challenging the validity of the warrant
An arrest warrant gives members of law enforcement the authority to arrest the individual who is named in the document.
In order to be enforceable, an arrest warrant must be signed by a judge. Prior to signing the warrant, the judge must ensure that it has the proper information, such as:
- Name and address of the arrestee
- The type of crime involved
- Information that provides probable cause that the named individual is responsible for the crime listed
- Various other required items of information
Typically, an arrest warrant is issued in connection with a criminal investigation. Once the warrant is signed, law enforcement may usually arrest the named individual at any place and time and bring them into police custody.
An arrest warrant may allow law enforcement to enter an individual’s home or property to complete the arrest. In some situations, however, there may be restrictions included in the arrest warrant.
If an individual is seeking to get rid of an arrest warrant in the State of Texas, there are some steps they should take, which include:
- Verify there is a warrant out for their arrest
- This may be done by searching online or consulting with an attorney
- Write down the details of the warrant or print a copy, making sure to note:
- The crime charged
- The issuing agency
- The date of the offense
- Any other important details
- Reach out to a Texas criminal lawyer
- A criminal lawyer can provide information on the process as well as the possible resolutions
- In some situations, an individual may be able to pay bail bond through their attorney and not spend time waiting in jail
For more information on the steps an individual should take to resolve their Texas arrest warrant, they should consult with a Texas lawyer.
When Can I Be Arrested After the Warrant Is Issued?
Pursuant to the Texas criminal case process, once an arrest warrant is issued, law enforcement can start looking for the named individual immediately. This means that they may be arrested as soon as the warrant is issued and they are located.
There is not any required delay or waiting period for law enforcement to arrest someone after a warrant is issued for their arrest. Typically, the named individual will not receive any type of notification if an arrest warrant is issued for them.
Individuals in Texas can use the Texas Department of Public Safety website to see if there is a warrant for the arrest. They can also consult with a local lawyer to determine what other places they should run a search.
If I Have a Warrant, Can I Just Pay It?
Whether or not an individual can pay their warrant to get rid of it will depend on the reason why the warrant was issued. For example, if a warrant is issued when an individual is wanted in connection with a criminal investigation, they will not be able to pay to have it go away.
If, however, an arrest warrant was issued because the individual has outstanding payments, such as unpaid speeding tickets, they may be able to pay those tickets and have the warrant cleared. In general, it is not possible to pay to remove a warrant if it is issued in connection with a felony crime.
When an individual has a warrant issue or question in Texas, they should have a legal consultation with a Texas lawyer to find out the best steps to resolve it.
What if I Did Not Commit a Crime?
In some situations, an arrest warrant may be issued for an individual if they did not commit a criminal offense. This may occur if an individual is suspected of being an accessory to a crime.
It may also occur in cases of mistaken identity when the wrong individual is suspected of a crime. Even if the individual who is named in the warrant did not commit the crime and the warrant was issued wrongfully, they may still be arrested.
Law enforcement may take the named individual into custody until the warrant issue is resolved or cleared. It is important for the named individual to cooperate in these instances because, as long as the warrant matches the named individual’s name and identification, they will not be able to avoid the warrant.
If an individual suspects that a warrant has been wrongly issued for them, they should speak with a criminal lawyer as soon as they can. The lawyer can review the warrant and determine what may be available to remedy the situation.
Can an Arrest Warrant Expire or Go Away?
In most situations, a warrant will be executed shortly after it is signed by a judge. There may, however, be circumstances in which a warrant is not immediately executed and may stay attached to the individual’s name for a period of time.
These are referred to as outstanding warrants. Whether an arrest warrant will expire or go away depends on the nature of the underlying charge.
In general, an arrest warrant for a felony crime will not expire. Because of this, an arrest warrant may remain on an individual’s record for years or decades after it was issued. This may cause issues when an individual is involved in a routine traffic stop or has an employment background check.
If an arrest warrant is issued for a misdemeanor crime, however, it may expire after a certain time period, for example, 180 days or one year. This will depend on the nature of the crime and the jurisdiction, so it is important to consult with a lawyer.
If an individual thinks they may have an outstanding warrant on their record, they should reach out to a criminal lawyer to determine their rights and what they can do to resolve the warrant. As noted above, having a warrant on an individual’s record may cause issues in more areas than just their criminal record, it may also cause housing, employment, child custody, and other issues.
Is a Warrant for Arrest the Same as a Bench Warrant?
An arrest warrant is not the same as a bench warrant. As noted above, an arrest warrant is issued in connection with a criminal investigation.
A bench warrant, on the other hand, is issued in connection with an individual who has been charged with contempt of court. A bench warrant can be issued for contempt issues, including:
It is important to note that a bench warrant can result in jail time, especially when an individual continues to refuse to comply or cannot comply with the court order.
Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have a Warrant Out for My Arrest?
An arrest warrant may have a serious effect on your criminal record and many other aspects of your life. If you think you have a warrant out for your arrest in Texas, you should immediately contact a Texas criminal defense attorney.
It can be difficult to clear an arrest warrant and there may be specific steps you need to take. You can use LegalMatch to find a criminal lawyer near you in Texas who is ready to help clear up your warrant issues at no cost in as little as 15 minutes.
