Can a Warrant Be Removed?

Arrest warrants do not expire on their own, but you can make the warrant go away by posting bond or appearing in court.

In fictional stories, the plot device of a cat-and-mouse game where someone who is suspected of a crime attempts to elude law enforcement never gets old. It is why, for example, the movie No Country for Old Men holds widespread appeal even outside of Texas. People who avoid arrest for long periods after law enforcement has caught onto their illegal activities exist in real life, too. When the court has investigated the situation thoroughly enough to be reasonably certain that you are up to no good, the next step is to issue an arrest warrant. An arrest warrant is a sure sign that you will be arrested sooner or later, but it is not a sure sign that you will be convicted of a crime. A Texas criminal defense lawyer can help you if there is a warrant out for your arrest.

How Do Arrest Warrants Work?

The court issues an arrest warrant for a particular person when there is probable cause for the arrest. This means that the investigation has advanced far enough that there is evidence that the person has committed a crime. Once the court has issued a warrant for your arrest, a police officer can arrest you as soon as they are sure that you are the person named on the warrant. This means that if a police officer pulls you over because your car has a broken taillight, and you show them your driver’s license and registration, they have the right to arrest you on the spot.  Arrest warrants do not have a set time limit; they remain valid until you make contact with the criminal justice system, or it makes contact with you.

The best way to deal with an arrest warrant is to confront it head-on. Go to the police station, identify yourself, and post bond. Even better, contact a criminal defense lawyer first, and have your lawyer post bond on your behalf. When you post bond, it means that you are promising to appear in court at your scheduled court date. In other words, once you post bond, the warrant disappears, and your case just goes forward like any other criminal case. Whether or not your arrest was the result of an arrest warrant, you have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, and you have the right to representation by a criminal defense lawyer. It is a good idea to hire a lawyer before you even face up to the warrant because this way, you can avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your case.

Contact the Fort Worth TX Law Office of Kyle Whitaker About Arrest Warrants

A criminal defense attorney can help you if there is a warrant out for your arrest or if you have already been arrested pursuant to a warrant. Contact the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker in Fort Worth, Texas, to discuss your case.