Professional Warrant Attorney in Garden Grove

In Garden Grove, bench warrants are typically issued for reasons different from arrest warrants. A bench warrant is not related to an ongoing investigation of criminal activity but is issued when a person fails to comply with court orders, such as missing a scheduled hearing. The term “bench” refers to the judge’s bench from which the warrant is issued. Unlike an arrest warrant, which is generally connected to criminal offenses, a bench warrant arises from procedural violations.

In Garden Grove, a bench warrant is issued by a judge when you fail to appear in court or comply with other court mandates. Once the warrant is in place, law enforcement officers are authorized to arrest you and bring you to court. Hiring a skilled criminal defense attorney, like My Rights Law, can help you address the situation without facing immediate arrest. We can work with the court to resolve the warrant and potentially avoid any harsher consequences.

A bench warrant in Garden Grove doesn’t expire or go away over time. Once issued, it stays active until the person named in the warrant takes action to resolve it. Attempting to ignore or wait out a bench warrant will not work; it will remain on your record until you appear in court or take other necessary steps to address it. Avoiding a bench warrant can lead to more significant legal problems down the road.

To handle a bench warrant in Garden Grove, it is crucial to act quickly. A bench warrant empowers law enforcement to arrest you at any time. By seeking the assistance of a qualified criminal defense attorney, like those at My Rights Law, you may be able to avoid an arrest. We can work on your behalf to quash the warrant, guiding you through the legal process to resolve the matter as efficiently as possible.

An arrest warrant in Garden Grove authorizes police to detain and take you into custody if you are suspected of committing a crime. These warrants are usually issued after law enforcement conducts an investigation and presents evidence to a judge, establishing probable cause that you were involved in illegal activity. Unlike bench warrants, arrest warrants relate directly to suspected criminal acts. Once the warrant is issued, law enforcement has legal grounds to apprehend you.

In California, failure to appear in court is a criminal offense under Penal Codes 1320 and 1320.5. If you are released on your own recognizance and fail to attend your scheduled court date, it is a misdemeanor. However, if you are out on bail for a felony charge and fail to appear, it can be charged as a felony. These laws emphasize the importance of attending court as required, regardless of the severity of your charges.

In Garden Grove, failing to appear in court can lead to serious consequences, including:

Up to six months in county jail and a substantial fine for missing a court appearance.
For felony cases, a penalty of one to three years in state prison.
These penalties are in addition to any punishment related to the original charges. If you were released on bail and knowingly failed to appear, you could face even more severe penalties under Penal Code 1320.5. Consulting with a criminal defense attorney is critical to understanding and mitigating the penalties in your specific case.