By Attorney James Czarnecki|Czarnecki & Taylor PLLC|NOV 2, 2022
Warrants can be a distressing situation, and it may seem like you’re in the deep end with no easy way out. If you have an arrest warrant for you, we want to help. We’ll walk through how to handle your Michigan arrest warrant that’s been issued for you so that you can take care of what needs doing.
How does a Michigan arrest warrant get issued?
An arrest warrant is a court-authorized document allowing the police to arrest someone to bring them to court. A judge issues an arrest warrant after being presented with information from the police. Before the court authorizes the warrant, the police must appear before the judge and make a sworn statement. The statement must establish probable cause that a crime had been committed and that the person named in the warrant committed the crime. The officer’s statement must be supported by evidence.
Types of Michigan Warrants
- Bench Warrants – Typically, a court issues a bench warrant when a defendant fails to appear in court for a scheduled hearing, probation violation, or failure to pay fines and costs. Once the court issues a bench warrant, the police can arrest you to bring you to court.
- Arrest Warrants – Courts authorize Michigan arrest warrant when an individual is accused of a crime. Unlike a bench warrant, the police will look for the individual for an arrest warrant. The police may wait at the person’s home or work.
information from the Michigan courts on arrest and types of bonds
Do not ignore an arrest warrant.
A Michigan arrest warrant does not expire. It often surprises people to learn that the court issued a warrant for their arrest years ago. We often get calls from people asking if they still have a warrant even though several years have gone by. The warrant never gets canceled until you appear in court.
For bond purposes, it is much better to appear in court voluntarily with a lawyer than it is to be brought to court in handcuffs. When you appear with a lawyer it shows that you are taking the matter seriously and that you intend to appear for every court hearing. A delay in answering the warrant usually results in a higher bond. So, do not delay the inevitable because it will cost you.
The fear and anxiety of being arrested on an outstanding warrant are simply not worth it. You always have to look over your shoulder. You may avoid driving your car out of fear of being arrested. Usually, fear of an arrest warrant outweighs the outcome of the case. This is especially true with minor offenses such as driving while license suspended or retail fraud. Speaking with a lawyer is your best option because the attorney can explain what you are facing. Many times we have talked with people and explained that the matter is not as bad as it initially seemed. This even applies to some felony cases.
How to handle your Michigan arrest warrant -talk to an attorney.
If you have a warrant, take action as soon as possible. Do not create more anxiety by worrying about when you will be arrested. The police sometimes send a letter to your address advising you of a pending arrest warrant. You can contact an attorney who will call the court or police department to obtain information regarding the warrant.
An attorney will explain what to expect and make arrangements for you to clear the warrant. Options include:
- Contact the court to ask if there is a warrant issued for your arrest
- Contact the police agency to inform the detective that you have an attorney, so there is no need to go out and arrest you because you will appear in court. This avoids embarrassment at home or at work.
- An attorney will contact the court to set up an arraignment and walk you into court instead of being brought in court wearing handcuffs
- When you voluntarily appear in court with an attorney the bond is much lower and even results in a personal bond (depending on the charge)
A defense attorney will know how to handle the warrant and properly advise you. An attorney will appear with you at court to argue bond or explain why you failed to appear in court for a bench warrant. An attorney will be there to defend you. A person’s greatest fear is sitting in jail. An attorney will eliminate or reduce that risk. The best thing you can do when you have a warrant is to take care of it as soon as possible. Even if you are innocent of the crime, you should make every effort to get rid of the warrant.
An attorney may even be able to get the warrant cleared before you are arrested depending on the severity of the charge. For example, if the court issued a warrant because you failed to pay a fine or costs, you might be able to just appear in court and pay those fines. Once paid, the warrant would be canceled. But, if the court issued an arrest warrant for a felony, you will be required to go to court to address bond and have the warrant canceled.
Many times when you appear voluntarily, the court will issue a personal bond. This means that you do not have to pay any money to the court to be released. You make a “personal” promise to return to court and if you do not show for the next scheduled date, only then would you be required to pay the bond amount. If you have to post a bond, an attorney will usually get the court to issue a lower bond than if you appeared either on your own or because of an arrest. Being proactive has many benefits. Read more on how to clear an arrest warrant.
When you hire an attorney, they can help you get information concerning the charges. If the attorney talks to the detective prior to the arraignment, the attorney can find out what bond the detective is asking the court to issue. As stated earlier, your attorney can communicate with the police so that they do not show up at your work or home to arrest you. This arrangement will save you embarrassment, stress, and money.
The criminal defense attorneys at Czarnecki & Taylor will handle your Michigan arrest warrant.
In our experience, we have been able to have you turned in, processed at the police station, appear in court, and have you released on the same day. This is another benefit of being proactive and addressing the warrant head-on.
At Czarnecki & Taylor, we have taken care of numerous Michigan arrest warrants for clients in every jurisdiction in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties. We have contacted police departments to prevent arrests at home or work. The courts know our reputation and that gives the court the confidence that our clients appear in court. This results in personal bonds or severe reductions in bond costs.
Contact Czarnecki & Taylor
If you believe that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, contact our office. We will help answer your questions and guide you through the process of getting the warrant canceled.
Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a serious felony, our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to advocate and help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case. One thing that sets Czarnecki & Taylor apart from other firms is our ability to handle complex cases that require specialized knowledge and experience. Our firm’s impressive track record for success and aggressive Michigan criminal defense is unparalleled for achieving exceptional results. Czarnecki & Taylor has a well-earned reputation among judges, courts, city attorneys, prosecutors, police, and other defense attorneys for defending our clients.
Our team is committed to providing the highest quality criminal defense services to our clients. Our dedication to excellence is evident in our results. We have a proven track record of success when it comes to representing clients facing all types of criminal charges, from misdemeanors all the way up to serious felonies. No matter how complex or challenging your situation may be, you can trust that we will do everything we can to get you the results you need.
Do you have a warrant? We can help you get it removed. Czarnecki & Taylor’s experienced attorneys will handle your case with care and help you through every step of the process. For a free consultation, contact us today at (586) 718-2345 or online for a prompt response. We are available 24/7 and have weekend and evening appointments.