Professional Warrant Attorney in Westminster

In Westminste, a bench warrant is often issued when someone fails to appear in court or comply with a court order, rather than for suspected criminal activity. Unlike an arrest warrant, which is issued when law enforcement suspects an individual of committing a crime, a bench warrant stems from non-compliance with the court’s directives. Essentially, it’s the court’s way of compelling someone to take the next step in their legal process.

A bench warrant in Westminste allows law enforcement to take you into custody if you fail to appear for a scheduled court hearing. Once a judge issues this warrant, the authorities have the legal right to arrest you and bring you before the court to explain why you missed your hearing. If you believe there is a bench warrant against you, it’s critical to hire a skilled criminal defense lawyer like My Rights Law to address the matter swiftly and efficiently.

In Westminste, bench warrants do not expire. Once issued, they remain active indefinitely until the matter is resolved in court. This means that even years later, you can be arrested for a bench warrant. The court system doesn’t allow individuals to simply “wait out” their warrants—taking immediate action to clear a bench warrant is the only way to remove it from your record.

If you have a bench warrant in Westminste, it is crucial to act quickly. A bench warrant gives law enforcement the authority to arrest you at any time. To prevent arrest, your best course of action is to contact an experienced Westminste criminal defense attorney, like the team at My Rights Law, who can help quash the warrant and guide you through the legal steps to resolve the underlying issue.

An arrest warrant in Westminste allows law enforcement to take you into custody because they suspect you of committing a crime. Unlike a bench warrant, which is issued for missing a court appearance, an arrest warrant follows an investigation where law enforcement identifies you as a suspect. Arrest warrants include details such as the specific crime you’re accused of, your name, and the judge’s signature, all of which must be in place for the warrant to be valid.

Under California law, failing to appear in court, whether you are on bail or released on your own recognizance, is a criminal offense. The consequences depend on the type of case you were involved in. For a misdemeanor, failure to appear is charged as a misdemeanor, while for a felony, it could result in felony charges. Penal Codes 1320 and 1320.5 govern these offenses, and it’s critical to take court appearances seriously, no matter how minor or severe the underlying charge may seem.

In Westminste, failure to appear in court can lead to serious penalties. These range from a six-month county jail sentence for misdemeanor cases to a felony charge with a possible three-year prison sentence for more severe cases. These penalties come in addition to any consequences you face for the original charge, such as fines or additional jail time. If you’re on bail and willfully fail to appear, this could escalate to a felony under Penal Code 1320.5. Consulting a qualified criminal defense lawyer is essential to avoid these severe outcomes.