Hearing that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest is a frightening experience. You may have no prior knowledge of the warrant until law enforcement is at your home or place of work. If you or a loved one is faced with an arrest warrant or believe one has been issued, it is vital to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney. At the Law Offices of Alison M. Lopes, we provide solid counsel and representation, building the best defense to achieve the most favorable outcome. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing the highest standard of criminal defense for our clients.
The Most Common Types of Warrants Issued in Florida Are:
- An arrest warrant enables law enforcement to apprehend a person for an alleged misdemeanor or felony criminal offense. When an affidavit requesting an arrest warrant is submitted to the court, it is authorized if a judge determines probable cause for a crime has been established. An arrest warrant is not required under specific circumstances, such as a crime witnessed by law enforcement, domestic abuse, violation of an injunction for protection, or a DUI.
- A bench warrant is another type of warrant. It enables law enforcement to take a person into custody for failure to appear at a mandatory court hearing. Other reasons bench warrants are issued include unpaid traffic tickets, failure to respond to a subpoena, non-compliance with child support payments, or other violations of court rules that constitute contempt of court.
- Violations of probation warrants are issued to arrest a person that has violated the terms of their probation. In these cases, the court system will schedule a hearing to consider a modification or revocation of the terms of probation. Depending on the severity of the violation, there can be harsh consequences for the probationer, including incarceration.
- Search warrants do not authorize an arrest. However, they permit law enforcement officers to search suspects and properties to seize items related to a crime which can lead to an arrest. There are circumstances when law enforcement can conduct a warrantless search. An example is searching a person for weapons when making an arrest. Other instances include the consent of a defendant to search, or if law enforcement believes a person is unlawfully armed, or seizing illegal items in plain view.
Get Help from a Board Certified Criminal Defense Lawyer
Every situation is unique, but it is a criminal matter any time an active warrant is issued. A warrant follows an offender until the charges are resolved. Warrants do not expire, and it is best to be proactive in resolving a warrant, as the court may respond with more leniency.
The attorneys at the Law Offices of Alison M. Lopes understand that an arrest warrant and a criminal conviction can jeopardize your freedom and your future. We provide strong advocacy for our clients and aggressive representation, whether negotiating with prosecutors or in the courtroom. We have the experience and resources to handle an arrest or a wrongful conviction.
Whether you are facing a warrant for a potential misdemeanor or felony charge, we can secure a just outcome for your case. Contact Alison M. Lopes at the Orlando office at 407-442-2724 for a consultation to discuss your options.