Salt Lake Bench Warrant Attorney - Utah Criminal Lawyer

Bench warrants or arrest warrants are issued by criminal courts in Salt Lake City for people who have had new criminal charges filed, have failed to appear for a required court appearance, or have violated the terms of probation ordered by the court. If you have a warrant outstanding for your arrest in Utah, it is best to seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. It is important to address both the immediate issue of the bench warrant as well as the underlying reason why the warrant was ordered. Based in Salt Lake City, Stephen Howard provides legal services to clients throughout Utah.

If you have a warrant outstanding in Salt Lake County, three of your options include: 1) ignoring the warrant and waiting for the police to arrest you; 2) turning yourself in to the jail; and 3) scheduling a hearing with the court that issued the warrant. Waiting for the police to arrest you almost guarantees that you will end up in jail. Turning yourself in to jail allows you to demonstrate to the court that you are not a flight risk, but may result in unnecessary time spent in jail while you wait for the court to schedule a hearing in your case. The proactive approach of contacting the court allows you to both demonstrate to the court that you are not a flight risk, and also increases your chances of staying out of custody while you wait for your hearing date. By consulting with an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately, you can begin formulating a strategy designed to give you the best chance of success in your case.

Bench warrants and arrest warrants in Utah are categorized either as "bondable" or as "cash only" warrants. For a cash only warrant, the full bail amount must be posted in cash (credit cards may also be accepted). A bondable warrant is one for which a bail bond company may post a bond on your behalf. Cash bail can be posted for either a cash only warrant or a bondable warrant. If the defendant appears at all required court hearings, the bail should be exonerated and the money returned to the person who posted the bail. If the defendant fails to appear at any required court hearings, the court may order the full bail amount to be forfeited. Fees paid to a bail bond company (typically 10% of the cash bail amount plus processing or paperwork fees) is typically non-refundable. An alternative to posting a cash bail or bail bond in Salt Lake County may be available through Salt Lake County Pretrial Services. Supervised release through this county agency can sometimes save a defendant or his family thousands of dollars. The assistance of an experienced criminal lawyer can help improve your chances of release through Pretrial Services.

Finding a Criminal Lawyer in Salt Lake City

Before deciding how to address your outstanding warrant, you should seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Stephen Howard has successfully handled thousands of cases in Salt Lake County, including homicide, aggravated felonies, drug charges, DUI, and many more. He has a track record of achieving real results for his clients.

Contact us today to arrange for an initial consultation with Utah criminal defense lawyer Stephen Howard.