How Do You Know If There Is a Warrant for Your Arrest?

Wondering if there is a warrant for your arrest is a frightening and stressful situation. Some people avoid going out or drive around with a nervous eye looking in the rearview mirror to see if a police cruiser is following them. Don’t settle for uncertainty. You can find out about outstanding warrants if you follow these steps. 

Stechschulte Nell, Attorneys at Law in Tampa are always available to assist anyone who needs to learn if they have an outstanding arrest warrant. While you are not required to have an attorney find out about a possible warrant, the best practice is to rely on a knowledgeable professional to communicate with any law enforcement agency about matters involving possible arrests. Contact Stechschulte Nell for more information. 

 

  

 

Act Promptly – The Need for Speed 

The most essential rule regarding a person’s outstanding arrest warrant is to act promptly. Waiting or procrastinating before learning if you have an arrest warrant can result in an extremely inconvenient and unpleasant experience. If you are driving with children in the car when you are arrested, the kids will be frightened and confused. They may even be taken into state custody by child protective services. 

A surprise early morning knock on the door at 5:00 am could be the time you learn of a warrant the hard way. Being handcuffed in front of family members and neighbors as you are led out of your home to a patrol car with lights flashing is an avoidable humiliation. 

An unscheduled or uncoordinated police arrest increases the potential for misunderstanding, miscommunication, and injury to both the arrestee and the police. This dangerous circumstance should be avoided if at all possible. 

 

Learning If You Have a Warrant for Your Arrest in Florida 

In Florida there are several reliable methods for individuals to check for the existence of arrest warrants against them. As mentioned earlier, the safest method of obtaining information about an arrest warrant is to contact a criminal defense lawyer. However, you can also do the following: 

 

Contact the Local Law Enforcement Agency 

One of the most direct ways to find out if you have a warrant for your arrest in Florida is to contact the local law enforcement agency. You can call the non-emergency number of the local police department or sheriff’s office. You provide your full name and any other relevant identifying information, such as your date of birth or even your social security number. Law enforcement agencies will access their databases to check for outstanding warrants under your name. 

However, if the police ask you why you think there’s an arrest warrant for you, do not tell them what crime you think you committed. The conversation between a police agency and a criminal suspect can quickly put the caller in an awkward position. This is the reason we recommend contacting a criminal defense lawyer. 

Online Searches 

Online databases maintained by Florida counties allow individuals to search for outstanding warrants. These databases are accessible through the official websites of the respective law enforcement agencies. You can usually search by your name or case number. It’s essential to note that the availability of online databases varies from one county to another. 

Visit the Clerk of Court’s Office: 

You can also visit the clerk of court’s office in the county where you suspect the warrant may have been issued. The clerk’s office maintains records related to court cases, including warrants. Be prepared to provide your personal information, including your full name and date of birth, to conduct a search. 

Check with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) 

The Florida DHSMV maintains a database that will reveal if you have an outstanding warrant related to traffic violations or driver’s license issues. You can visit a local DHSMV office or check their official website for information. 

Use a Third-Party Online Service 

You could also use third-party online services that claim to provide information on outstanding warrants for a fee. However, you need to be cautious when using these services because they do not always have accurate or up-to-date information. If you are seriously concerned that an active arrest warrant is outstanding, it is much better practice to rely on information from official sources like a professional defense lawyer or law enforcement agency sources. 

 

 Safest Method of Learning About Active Arrest Warrants – Contact an Attorney 

Consulting with a criminal defense lawyer is the best way to learn about the existence of an active warrant if you suspect that there may be a warrant but are concerned about self-disclosure. Attorneys have access to legal resources and databases that can help them determine if you have a warrant without necessarily alerting law enforcement. At Stechschulte Nell, we can advise you on the best course of action to address the situation. 

 

What to Do If You Have an Active Outstanding Arrest Warrant in Florida 

 

If you do discover that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, the best strategy is to immediately arrange to voluntarily turn yourself in to law enforcement. How you go about this depends on the seriousness of the crime for which the warrant is issued. 

In cases involving minor offenses or misdemeanors, the surrender process is generally uncomplicated and efficient. A suspect surrendering in a misdemeanor can usually expect to be processed and released in hours or sooner.  

However, as the crime cited in the warrant becomes more serious, including felonies involving firearms, robbery, infliction of severe injuries, sexual assault, or murder, prearranging an orderly and peaceful surrender to law enforcement can become more complicated. The involvement of an experienced criminal defense lawyer in the development of surrender plans and the preparation for a bond hearing will be beneficial to the person suspected of the crime.  

The chief objective of a coordinated surrender plan is the safe surrender of the client and their conditional release from custody as soon as possible.
 

Voluntary surrender usually demonstrates cooperation with the judicial process and may lead to more favorable pretrial release terms and outcomes in court. 

 

 Secure Your Peace of Mind: Expert Legal Assistance for Arrest Warrants in Florida 

To summarize, if you suspect there is an active warrant for your arrest, it is crucial to act promptly and wisely. The best approach is to seek professional legal guidance from experienced defense attorneys like Stechschulte Nell in Tampa. They can discreetly verify the existence of any warrant and advise on the most appropriate course of action, ensuring your rights are protected throughout the process. Don’t let uncertainty and fear dictate your actions; reach out to Stechschulte Nell, Attorneys at Law, for reliable and confidential assistance.