Turning Yourself In After An Arrest Warrant Means Facing Your Case From A Position Of Strength

Getting arrested at a traffic stop is scary.  It is even scarier when a police officer approaches you on foot in a public place and says that he just saw you stealing, selling drugs, or doing something else illegal.  A relentless optimist would point out that, in contrast to the aforementioned scenarios, finding out that a court has issued a warrant for your arrest is not that bad.  It still means that you are being accused of a crime, but for the time being, you are free, which means that it is easier to keep in mind that, like all defendants in criminal cases, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  As with any situation where you are accused of a crime, your actions after finding out that there is an active warrant for your arrest can make the situation better or worse.  A Tampa criminal defense lawyer can help you maximize your chances of getting a favorable outcome in your case if a court has issued a warrant for your arrest.

Think of Your Arrest Warrant as the First Pretrial Disclosure in Your Case

When a police officer arrests you, it means that the officer believes that there is probable cause to accuse you of a crime.  In some cases, the judge may have to decide, at a subsequent hearing, whether this probable cause existed, and if it did not, the court will dismiss the case; this is one of the best outcomes you can get in criminal court.  Police ask the court to issue an arrest warrant when evidence has turned up in an investigation that amounts to probable cause; if, after reviewing this evidence, the judge agrees that there is probable cause, the court will issue an arrest warrant.

Arrest warrants remain active until the police make the arrest, the court quashes the warrant, or the defendant turns himself or herself in.  Turning yourself in is the best way to resolve your case; lying low and hoping that the court eventually quashes the warrant is a lot like fleeing from justice.  When you turn yourself in, you should do so with a plan.  Contact a criminal defense lawyer and have your lawyer help you find out as many details about the warrant as possible.  Your lawyer can even help you negotiate for a lower bail amount; this means that you should also contact a bail bond company before you turn yourself in.  By the time you get to the police station, you will already have a plan for negotiating a plea deal or presenting defenses at trial.  Turning yourself in consists only of appearing in person at the police station, posting bail, signing some paperwork, and going home to prepare for the next phase of your case.

Contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Bryant Scriven

A criminal defense lawyer can help you face an arrest warrant without fear.  Contact Scriven Law in Tampa, Florida to schedule a consultation.

Source:

floridawarrant.org/