By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 2, 2022
A common questions is, how long do Michigan warrants last? Whether their warrants will expire over time? In general, arrest warrants do not expire and remain active until resolved. If you have an outstanding warrant in Michigan, it is important to take action immediately to deal with the issue.
A Michigan warrant lasts until a judge cancels it. A Michigan warrant never expires. Warrants can last for years or even decades. For example, a judge can issue a bench warrant because a person failed to appear for their court date. Suppose twenty years go by and the person never gets stopped by the police. Once day, when they do get stopped for speeding, they can be arrested for the warrant – even 20 years later.
Michigan warrants do not expire, so they remain active until the case has been resolved. If you have an outstanding Michigan warrant, it is important to take action as soon as possible to resolve the issue. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your warrant, there are several options for dealing with a warrant in Michigan, including taking steps to remove your warrant, turning yourself into authorities, or working with an attorney who can help you navigate the legal process.
Recently, our team represented a client with an outstanding warrant for 16 years. In Macomb County, Michigan, the judge issued a bench warrant when our client failed to appear in court 16 years ago. As time went on, our client moved to a different state. He only found out about the warrant after applying for a job when the warrant was discovered during a background check. Our client was shocked. To add to his surprise, he had been stopped by the police several times for traffic violations, but the police had not mentioned the warrant. It did appear in a background check, however.
The differences between a statute of limitations and a warrant.
Contrary to what some people believe, warrants do not expire. People wrongly confuse arrest warrants with the statute of limitations related to prosecutions. Unlike the statute of limitations, once issued, a warrant does not expire until resolved in court.
A criminal statute of limitations is a law that defines the time in which a person can be charged with a certain crime. Depending on the crime, this time limit may vary, and it is typically determined by state or federal law. Typically, a criminal statute of limitations runs at the time that an offense occurs. Once this time limit has expired, it usually becomes impossible to prosecute someone who has been accused of committing the crime.
There are several reasons states and the federal government have implemented statutes of limitations for crimes. One reason is that memories can fade over time, making it more difficult for witnesses to recall details about an event or incident accurately. Another reason is that as time passes, evidence may become lost or obscured, making it more difficult to prove that a crime was actually committed.
Sometimes, there may be exceptions to the criminal statute of limitations. For example, if new evidence or witnesses come forward after the time limit has expired, it may be possible to file charges against the accused individual. In certain circumstances involving serious crimes such as murder or rape, there may be no statute of limitations at all.
If you are charged with a crime and believe that the statute of limitations may have expired, it is important to work with an attorney who can assess your case and help you understand your legal options. With the right legal representation, you can better protect your rights and interests and fight any allegations against you.
So, unlike a warrant, once a crime has been committed, it must be charged within a specific period of time. This is otherwise known as the “statute of limitations.” Again, the statute of limitations clock starts the day the crime was committed. If charges are brought after the specified timeframe expires, the court will dismiss the charges. The Michigan statute of limitations varies depending on the crime.
Unlike the statute of limitations, warrants do not expire. For example, a warrant will not expire if the police do not find the individual after 6, 7, 10, or even 20 years. The fundamental difference between the statute of limitations and a warrant is that the former defines when a charge must be filed in court. A warrant demands a person’s presence in court to answer for charges that have already been filed or failure to appear in court.
A warrant will remain in effect until addressed and canceled by the court. The reason warrants do not expire is that people would hide until the warrant expired. Essentially, the person would be rewarded for being a fugitive.
It is always better to appear and answer for the warrant than it is to keep looking over your shoulder when driving, and so forth. Also, you can avoid embarrassment if the police show up at your home or your work to arrest you. It is much easier on you if you take care of the warrant. This is especially true when the warrant involves misdemeanors and non-capital felonies. The fear of being jailed is often not true. This unfounded fear prevents many people from going to court to resolve the warrant. At our office, on most occasions, the client gets a personal bond. Of course, there are also serious crimes that require a cash bond, but again, in most instances, the bond is much lower when you have counsel arrange the turn-in for you and appear at court with you.
Proactively handle your warrant.
If you have an outstanding arrest warrant, it is important that you take proactive steps to deal with the issue as soon as possible. There are a number of things that you can do to help resolve your case, including seeking legal representation to help keep you out of jail.
If you are facing an arrest warrant, your best option is to work with a qualified and experienced law firm to help you proactively handle the situation. At our law firm, we have extensive experience handling these types of cases and know precisely how to navigate the court system to get the best possible results for our clients. Whether you need assistance negotiating with law enforcement or navigating the criminal justice process, we are here to help.
When someone with an outstanding warrant contacts our office, we gather as much information as possible from the client. Next, we contact the court to understand why the warrant was issued and a time and date when we could arrange to have the client turned in so that the warrant can get recalled by the court.
When a person voluntarily appears in court, the process usually goes much easier. For instance, when a client voluntarily appears in court with an attorney, this shows the court that they will appear at the next court proceeding. They did not have to be arrested to answer for the warrant. In many circumstances, when a client appears in court voluntarily with an attorney, they can get a personal bond. This means the person promises to return to court and does not have to post any money for a bond.
Sometimes, the court will still require some cash bond to be posted. But, as stated earlier, in our experience, that bond is usually much lower when the person voluntarily appears in court with an attorney. To read more about clearing your warrant, please read the following article.
Contact Czarnecki & Taylor to help remove your warrant.
If you are facing an outstanding arrest warrant and are worried about what to do next, look no further than our law firm. Our team of legal experts has the experience and knowledge needed to help proactively handle your outstanding arrest warrant. If you want guidance on how to proceed with your case, we have the tools and resources you need.
Our team understands that facing an outstanding arrest warrant can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. Our team is committed to providing the support and guidance you need throughout every stage of your case. We will work closely with you to develop a clear understanding of your situation and goals, ensuring that we are able to provide effective representation tailored specifically to meet your needs.
Our legal team has extensive experience handling cases involving outstanding arrest warrants. This allows us to anticipate potential challenges or obstacles in your case and take steps early on to minimize their impact on the outcome of your case. Our knowledge of local court rules and procedures gives us a distinct advantage in navigating the legal system to help you secure a favorable resolution to your warrant.
We have decades of criminal defense experience with a proven track record for success. If you’re facing misdemeanor or felony charges schedule a free initial case consultation to answer questions that you may have about your legal rights and options for handling your charges.
No matter which court you’re in, we can help. Call (586) 718-2345 – 24/7 or contact us online to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.