Professional Warrant Attorney in Palmdale

Bench warrants are quite common in Palmdale, often differing from arrest warrants in purpose. A bench warrant is typically issued when someone fails to comply with court-ordered obligations, such as missing a court date. Unlike arrest warrants, which are issued for suspected criminal activity, bench warrants focus on noncompliance with the court’s orders. The name comes from the bench, indicating the judge’s authority in issuing it.

A bench warrant is issued when an individual fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Palmdale. Once issued, law enforcement has the authority to arrest the person named in the warrant and bring them before the court. If you have an active bench warrant in Los Angeles County, a skilled criminal defense attorney can help you address the issue, potentially avoiding arrest and working toward resolving the situation.

In Palmdale, bench warrants do not expire or disappear over time. They remain on your record until the court resolves them. These warrants are issued by judges and do not have an expiration date, meaning they remain active indefinitely. Waiting out a bench warrant will not remove it from your record, and it’s crucial to take steps to clear it to avoid the potential consequences of being arrested.

If you have a bench warrant in Palmdale, it’s critical to act swiftly. Ignoring the warrant can lead to an unexpected arrest. To clear a bench warrant, the best course of action is to seek the help of a qualified Palmdale criminal defense attorney, such as My Rights Law. We can work on your behalf to resolve the issue, potentially quashing the warrant, and keeping you from being taken into custody.

An arrest warrant gives law enforcement in Palmdale the legal authority to detain you and bring you into custody. Typically, arrest warrants are issued for suspected criminal activity after an investigation identifies a person as the prime suspect. Unlike bench warrants, arrest warrants are requested by law enforcement or prosecutors based on probable cause, and they must be signed by a judge. The warrant includes your name, the crime you’re suspected of, and details about when and where the warrant was issued.

Failure to appear is a serious offense under California Penal Codes 1320 and 1320.5, depending on whether you were released on your own recognizance or out on bail. If you are released on your own recognizance and intentionally fail to show up in court, this is a crime. The level of the offense depends on the charges for which you were supposed to appear: missing a court date for a misdemeanor results in a misdemeanor charge, while failing to appear for a felony results in a felony charge. It’s crucial to attend all scheduled court dates to avoid additional criminal charges.

In Palmdale, the consequences for failing to appear in court can be severe:
– Up to six months in county jail and fines if the failure to appear is related to a misdemeanor charge.
– A potential one- to three-year jail or prison sentence for missing a court appearance tied to a felony charge.
These penalties are in addition to any consequences related to the original offense for which you were supposed to appear. If you are out on bail and willfully fail to appear, you could also face felony charges under section 1320.5. Seeking guidance from a criminal defense attorney is essential to understanding and addressing the legal ramifications of your case.