A warrant is an order issued by a judge or magistrate allowing law enforcement officials to arrest someone who is accused. A probable cause for an arrest warrant is when there is reasonable suspicion that a criminal offense has been committed. This is usually shown when a police officer takes an oath before a judge about the accused and the evidence he has that he may have committed the crime.
An arrest warrant is issued when a defendant fails to follow court rules. The literal meaning is that they were not physically in the dock before the judge when their appearance was ordered. These are often issued when a defendant fails to appear at a court hearing. The most common reason for this is that they have decided to flee the area or jump their bail. Once issued, it is treated as an arrest warrant and the police can use the document to bring the accused back into the jurisdiction to sit before the judge.
Hiring an attorney after your drunk driving arrest
You should always hire an experienced attorney to represent you in your drunk driving case as early as possible. This is especially true if a police officer starts asking you questions after you have been arrested. In this case, you should assert your right to a lawyer immediately during the interrogation.
You must not answer any questions against your will without an attorney present, either in person or by telephone. If you assert your right to an attorney and the police officer continues to question you, anything you say in response can be suppressed in a criminal DUI proceeding. This is especially true if the officer asks if you’ve been drinking or how much you’ve been drinking.
How do arrest warrants differ from arrest warrants?
Arrest warrants are very similar to arrest warrants. Both types of warrants instruct law enforcement to locate and arrest a specific person. However, warrants are issued after a grand jury indictment or evidence of a probable cause. Arrest warrants are issued by a judge for violating a court order, usually for failing to appear at a prescribed court date or for a mandatory court appearance.
Arrest warrants, like arrest warrants, do not expire. Law enforcement agencies can execute a warrant at any time they encounter the subject matter of the pending warrant. It remains in effect until the affected person dies or a judge withdraws the active order, or it is amended or lifted.
Arrest warrant for serious crimes vs. misdemeanor warrants
Depends on the type of charge. Although there is some variation from state to state, most warrants related to a felony charge never expire. If you have evaded arrest after being involved in a crime in which you have been identified, it is likely that even years or decades later, a routine police stop will result in the warrant being issued and action being taken against you.
Arrest warrants for misdemeanors can be treated in different ways, with an expiration date of 180 days or one year being given when issued. However, they can be reissued with a simple request, so you can never count on them just waiting to go away.