Arrest Warrants in Utah Criminal Cases

An arrest warrant can be more than an inconvenience in your life. It can cause family problems, result in the loss of employment, and much more. If you believe that you may have an outstanding criminal arrest warrant in Utah, the assistance and advice of an experienced criminal defense attorney is vital. Contact us today to see how the right attorney can help you.

What to Know if You Have an Arrest Warrant

Can the police arrest me while I'm at work if there is an active warrant out for my arrest?

An arrest warrant is treated under Utah law as an order by the court to any law enforcement officer in the state, directing any police officer who may find the person who is the subject of the warrant to arrest that person. Although time or place restrictions may be made part of a search warrant (e.g., daytime only), most arrest warrants can be served by police any time and any place that the subject of the warrant can be found. This includes at work, at home, while driving, etc.

Can I take care of a warrant without having to appear in court?

There are several ways to potentially deal with a warrant. How best to address an active arrest warrant will depend on the reason behind the initial issuance of the warrant.

If a warrant has been issued for failing to pay a fine, arrangements can sometimes be made through the court to make the necessary payments and have the case closed. Not all cases can be handled this way, and you should consult first with an experienced criminal lawyer.

If the warrant has been issued in connection with a newly-filed criminal case, posting bail can avoid being arrested and booked into jail but it will not eliminate the need to appear in court to address the new charges. If a person cannot afford to post the full cash bail amount, it is often possible to schedule a court date and request that the warrant be recalled. The assistance of an experienced attorney is important in crafting a convincing argument to support the request to recall the warrant.

If a warrant has been issued for failing to appear at a scheduled court date, bail again can be posted to avoid arrest. Many judges will issue a warrant with a significantly higher bail amount when a defendant has failed to appear in court. If a bail amount is higher than what a defendant can afford, scheduling a hearing date or setting up a walk-in appearance may help to avoid being arrested and booked in jail. Again, having the assistance and support of a good criminal defense lawyer can be vital.

If I appear in court for one case, but have warrants out in another case, will I be arrested and have to go to jail?

If you have an active arrest warrant in one case but you are scheduled to appear with another judge on another case, there is a possibility that you may be taken into custody when you appear in court. If a court bailiff or other law enforcement officer becomes aware of the active warrant, he or she has authority to make an arrest. If none of the court personnel are aware of the warrant from the other case, then you likely will be able to survive your court appearance without being arrested.

Whether the court personnel will be alerted to the existence of the other warrant can depend on a variety of factors. A victim or other concerned party may contact the court and the prosecutor to inform them of the active warrant. If the bail is high and the other case is serious, the prosecutor from the other case may actively look for other court hearings you may have scheduled. If a bail bond company has been involved in the other case, they may be actively looking for you to ensure that they do not forfeit any bond they may have previously posted on your behalf.

Regardless of the level of a charge or the procedural posture of a case, if you have an active arrest warrant there is a real risk that you could be arrested and booked into jail. Having the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney can help give you the best chance of avoiding serious consequences.

How can I find out if I have a warrant out for my arrest?

Contacting a good criminal defense lawyer can be the best way to find out if you a warrant has been issued for your arrest. In addition to helping you find any active warrants, your attorney can help you develop a strategy for getting the warrant recalled and appropriately dealing with the underlying issues that resulted in the issuance of the warrant.

Get Help Now - Utah Criminal Defense

If you have been given a criminal citation, if you have criminal case pending in the court system, if you have an outstanding warrant, if police have attempted to contact you, or if you believe you may be otherwise be the subject of a criminal investigation, it is vital that you have the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney. There are important constitutional and procedural rights that can be critical in defending you against criminal prosecution.

Contact us now to see the difference the right attorney can make for you.