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What to Do if You Have a San Diego Arrest Warrant

A San Diego arrest warrant is a serious matter, and you’ll want serious criminal defense. Patrick Griffin Law can help.

Have You Been Issued a San Diego Arrest Warrant?

In the State of California, there are two ways a criminal suspect can be arrested: by committing a crime in the presence of a law enforcement officer or by having an arrest warrant issued in their name.

A warrant is a court-issued document authorizing an individual’s arrest. Since most crimes do not occur in front of a police officer, most arrests in California occur under an arrest warrant.

We Know How to Handle San Diego Arrest Warrants

Sometimes, the person of interest might not even be aware that a warrant was issued for them. This can turn a simple traffic stop on your way to work into a trip to jail, so it is vital that you speak with a San Diego criminal lawyer right away if you believe that a San Diego arrest warrant has been issued with your name on it.

At Griffin Law Office, we have extensive experience handling San Diego arrest warrants, and we can help you, too. Contact us as soon as possible to begin taking action against your warrant.

Types of California Arrest Warrants

There are two types of California arrest warrants: arrest and bench warrants. Both types of warrants involve different procedures, but their core function is the same: ordering the arrest of the suspect.

Standard arrest warrants are issued when there is probable cause to believe that the person of interest has committed a crime. Bench warrants, on the other hand, are released when an individual fails to appear in court for a mandatory appearance or fails to satisfy a court order.

Learning that you’re the subject of an arrest warrant can be terrifying, but when you have a skilled legal advocate on your side, there’s no reason to panic. Whether you have a bench or arrest warrant out in your name, it is important that you get in touch with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you prevent any additional charges and penalties.

It is very important to resolve any warrants you might have to prevent any unexpected circumstances when your warrant is discovered. Here are our answers to a few common questions about searching for arrest warrants.

 

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Arrest Warrant FAQ

If you believe you might have an outstanding arrest warrant in San Diego, you should first check the warrant search tool on the San Diego County Sheriff site. An online warrant check can be done by inputting the name of the person of interest. The warrant will normally show a case number, the date that the warrant was provided, and the bail amount, if applicable.

It’s important to note that not all types of arrest warrants will appear in the online search; federal warrants, recently-issued warrants, and traffic violation warrants are not listed here. If you think you may have a warrant in California but do not see it in these search results, contacting an attorney is advisable.

For those who would like to know if their loved one has been arrested, the office of the San Diego Sheriff offers an online portal that the general public can utilize to look for people currently in custody. All you need to perform a search is the name of the inmate.

Yes, arrest warrants are public records. This means that anybody can find out if you or another person has an active arrest warrant by performing an online search or a simple background check. That’s why it’s so important that you tackle your warrant as soon as possible with the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

After being arrested in California, your arrest will remain on record, even if it did not ultimately result in a charge or a conviction. San Diego CA arrest records can be requested from the Records and Identification Division of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department by individuals or parties that have a direct and tangible interest in the records. This can be done by submitting a written request or downloading the Service Request Form and sending out the form to the Records Division.

Arrest records can stay with you for years, so it’s always vital to put a stop to your arrest warrant before it escalates. San Diego criminal defense attorney Patrick Griffin of Griffin Law Office will help you address the matter head-on so you can return to living the life you deserve. Offering reliable legal services in practice areas including assault & battery, DUI, theft & burglary, domestic violence, drug crimes, white-collar crimes, restraining orders, and sex crimes, we have the skills, resources, and experience to skillfully handle your situation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, where we will evaluate your circumstances, inform you of your rights, and begin taking action.

When an arrest warrant is issued, the police are ordered to arrest and detain the individual named in the warrant. Arrest warrants are generally issued after an indictment by a grand jury or when a police officer has reasonable cause to suspect an individual of committing a criminal offense. In the case of a bench warrant, however, the judge initiates the process. After this happens, it is treated like any other arrest warrant.

For an arrest warrant in San Diego County to be legitimate, a sitting judge needs to initially sign it. As soon as it is signed, it becomes an active warrant. This gives the police the authority to arrest you at any place and time when an officer notices you or finds you.

Keep in mind that warrants are not necessarily the same as criminal charges — being arrested only means that you are a possible suspect. However, an arrest warrant does mean that charges are likely to be filed unless you start building a strong defense. If you have an outstanding warrant, ignoring it will not fix the problem — you must call a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.

An arrest warrant can be served at one’s home or workplace, making it an extremely troublesome circumstance. When the police execute the arrest warrant, they handcuff the suspect and take him or her to the police department for questioning.

Before any questioning starts, be sure to assert your right to have a lawyer present and exercise your right to remain silent until your attorney is present. Any declarations you make to investigators can and will be used against you, no matter how innocent you might feel they are. An attorney can make sure that law enforcement does not acquire any incriminating declarations, admissions, or confessions from you.

While this is not always possible, it’s best to contact an attorney before you are arrested if you find out about your warrant. In these cases, we will work to recall the warrant and help you avoid a jail sentence.

If you call us after being taken into police custody under a warrant, we will provide the arguments to the court that are essential to have you released without posting any bail. In a case where bail is required, we can argue the necessary premises to decrease the bail amount. In all circumstances, we’ll start building a strong defense in your favor against the charges or accusations you are facing.

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