For the police to make an arrest in San Diego, a warrant must accompany them. Discovering you have a warrant can be nerve wracking. You begin to wonder why a warrant was issued against you and what to do to make the warrant go away. Sometimes, but not often, judges issue warrants by mistake. When a judge signs off on a warrant, the warrant will come in the form of an arrest warrant or bench warrant.
What is an Arrest Warrant?
An arrest warrant is the legal document the judge will use to order the police to bring a person to jail under suspicion of a crime. If a police investigation, through testimony or evidence, reveals that someone committed a crime, the police will ask the judge to issue an arrest warrant that authorizes them to make the arrest.
What is a Bench Warrant?
Differing from the arrest warrant, a bench warrant stems directly from the judge for violating court rules. One of the most common reasons why a judge issues a bench warrant is the failure to appear. A bench warrant forces a person to appear before the court or judge, hence the name bench warrant — the judge sits at the bench and the warrant was issued from the bench.
Arrest and Bench Warrant Differences
Below are the major differences between an arrest and bench warrant:
- The method in which the judge issues the warrants
- Once the judge issues an arrest warrant, the police will search for the suspect
- A bench warrant is usually not in connection with a serious crime
- The warrant that can remain outstanding in the database is the bench warrant
How to Find Out if You Have a Warrant.
One way to find out if you have an arrest warrant in San Diego is to review the Online Warrant Database at San Diego County Sheriff’s Department website. Simply type in your last name, first name, middle name and year of birth to see if your name is in the database.
If your search reveals that you have a warrant, you should locate an experienced San Diego criminal defense attorney immediately. Many people try to handle the warrant on their own and face being placed in police custody. A knowledgeable San Diego criminal lawyer can get the warrant reversed and prevent law enforcement from placing you in police custody.
Do You Have a Warrant in San Diego? Call Boertje & Associates
If you or someone you know just checked the San Diego Sheriff’s Department online database and discovered they have a warrant, contact Boertje & Associates, the San Diego Criminal Defense Attorney. Attorney Boertje will use his expertise to convince the prosecutor and judge to recall the warrant. He may also be able to keep you from going into police custody. Call 888-476-0901 or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation regarding your warrant. Affordable payment plans are available.