You can have a warrant issued for your arrest for a multitude of reasons. Finding out why exactly they have been issued and figuring out what to do in response to them can be intimidating. If you’re wondering if you have a warrant for your arrest, there are ways of finding out, with or without the help of an attorney.
Many people only learn about warrants when they are pulled over by the police for a routine traffic stop. Others might learn of warrants when they appear in court for unrelated matters. Still, others learn about warrants through notices sent in the mail. Search warrants and arrest warrants come from the police and revolve around alleged criminal offenses. bench warrants are trickier, as they come from judges and stem from things like missed court appearances. If you learn of a warrant in your name, call an attorney immediately to discuss what your next steps should be.
The Law Offices of John J. Zarych can help you find out if you have a warrant. Get in touch by calling our offices at (609) 616-4956 and ask about a free case review.
Finding Out if There is a Warrant Issued for Your Arrest in New Jersey
Finding out whether there’s a warrant out for your arrest as early as possible is recommended. A warrant can lie dormant for a long time and have consequences later, so it’s best to deal with them as soon after an incident as possible.
The easiest way to find out if a warrant has been issued for your arrest is to use the search tool on the New Jersey court system’s website. If you have the ticket number, complaint number, license number, or name connected to your case, you can use it to search for a warrant.
However, not all municipalities list their arrest warrants. If you are wondering whether a certain municipality has a warrant for your arrest, you can either call them directly or enlist the help of an attorney to find out.
How You Might Learn of an Arrest Warrant in New Jersey
A warrant for your arrest, such as a bench warrant or a standard arrest warrant from the police, is not always known to the people named in the warrant. There might be a warrant out there with your name on it right now. Where do you go to find out if a warrant exists? For many, the news comes as a surprise.
Police Interactions
It is common for people to learn about outstanding warrants when they are stopped by the police on the road. Being pulled over is one of the more common ways people discover they have warrants. When a driver is pulled over, the police run checks for things like warrants or prior charges as a matter of routine. This lets the police know who they are dealing with and whether the driver is wanted or dangerous. The officer who pulls you over will likely find out if there is a warrant and tell you.
You might also learn about an outstanding warrant if you are arrested for a new crime. If the police arrest someone for any reason, they may run a check for other warrants, prior charges, or other pertinent information. The police will undoubtedly find out about any other existing warrants during a separate arrest.
New Court Cases
If you make an appearance in court for a new case, the court might uncover information about outstanding warrants. Much of the judicial system is interconnected via digital databases and systems. When court administrators bring up information about your case, they may also be able to access other legal information, including details about outstanding warrants. For example, if you show up for something relatively minor, like a traffic court hearing, the court might learn about the warrant and tell you. They might instead contact the police to come to arrest you, and you will find out about the warrant when the police show up.
Notices in the Mail
If a bench warrant was issued because you missed a court date, the court might have tried to contact you about it. It is not unusual for the court to send notices about missed court dates so that new hearings can be rescheduled. They may also try to notify you of the bench warrant for your arrest.
Review any letters or notices you have received in the mail. Did you get anything from the court? It might have gotten mixed up with junk mail and thrown away. Maybe you got it but never got around to opening it. If you do have the notice, it may contain information about scheduling a new hearing and hopefully getting the bench warrant lifted.
Types of Warrants in New Jersey
If you find out that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, it’s important to know which type of warrant it is and the conditions attached to it. The types of warrants that can be issued against someone are:
Arrest Warrants
This is the most common type of warrant issued. It is an official document issued by either a judge or other magistrate on behalf of the state, which authorizes the arrest of a person who has allegedly been involved in a crime (these crimes can include assault and battery, theft, DUIs, unpaid traffic violations, failure to appear in court, and various other misdemeanors and felonies). Probable cause must be proven before the warrant can be issued, which is proven when sufficient facts and evidence pertaining to the person’s guilt are offered. An arrest warrant will include a few pieces of information: the crime committed, the name of the person who committed the crime, and the location where they may be found. These warrants never expire.
Search Warrants
A search warrant allows an officer to search and seize someone’s objects. In order to get one, police have to prove to a judge that there is reasonable cause to believe that evidence for a crime lies within a certain place belonging to a person, which will be listed on the warrant. The warrant will also include information about the specific items to be seized and the place that will be searched.
Bench Warrants
A bench warrant is issued to bring a person into a courtroom so that a judge may address a certain issue with them. Bench warrants are most frequently issued regarding traffic issues and unpaid traffic tickets, but they may also be issued for failure to appear for an arraignment or other hearing, violation of probation, violation of a condition of bail, child support delinquency, extradition, or failure to pay fines as agreed with the court. They are called “bench warrants” because they are issued from the judge’s seat, known as the bench.
What to Do Once You Know There is a Warrant for Your Arrest in New Jersey
If you learn about a warrant for your arrest in New Jersey, the first thing you should do is contact an attorney. Many people are unfamiliar with arrest warrants and bench warrants, and they might not understand how they are different or what the consequences of such warrants might entail. An attorney can review the details of the warrant and help you figure out if you are facing a big problem or a small one.
Your attorney can also help you by calling the court about bench warrants. Remember, bench warrants are frequently issued because people miss court dates. At the end of the day, the court is not interested in throwing people in jail, and they would much rather reschedule the missed court date. Even so, your attorney can determine whether the court is willing to lift the warrant. In some cases, judges are very unhappy about missed court dates, especially if someone has a history of missing court or skipping bail. In that case, an arrest might be harder to avoid, and your lawyer can help you prepare for what is to come.
If the warrant pertains to a more serious criminal offense, your attorney can contact law enforcement and figure out the details. If the crime is relatively minor, you might be able to meet with officers without being arrested. In more serious cases, you might have to prepare with your lawyer for an inevitable arrest. You should also discuss turning yourself in, with the help of a lawyer, before quickly posting bail to secure your release. Discuss with your lawyer ways to mitigate the warrant so you can avoid being arrested or at least avoid being held in jail.
How Long People with Warrants Might Go to Jail in New Jersey?
The answer to this question is difficult to say because it might be different for different people. If someone is arrested on a bench warrant, they might spend little to no time in jail. After the police take you back to court to reschedule the court hearing you missed, the warrant may be lifted, and there may be no reason to hold you any longer.
On the other hand, if you are arrested for something more serious, like skipping bail on a serious criminal trial, you are far more likely to be arrested and detained in jail until the end of the trial to prevent you from leaving again. It all depends on the details of your case and why the warrant was issued.
How a Lawyer Can Help You with Your Warrant in New Jersey
If you find out that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, it’s important to follow a specific process to ensure that you have minimal long-term consequences. An attorney can help you.
As soon as you find out the reason for your warrant and the place from which it was issued, you should contact the courthouse from which the warrant was issued. Speak with a clerk and set up a time to come in to take care of your warrant. Depending on the type of warrant, you may have to stay in jail until the date of your court appearance; some warrants allow you to pay bail to avoid jail.
In many cases, you will probably just have to pay a fine, after which an end will be put to the situation. If you have to go to court as a result of your warrant, make sure that you show up and accept the penalties that are administered. If you enlist the help of an attorney, they can help you throughout the entire process.
Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help if You Have an Arrest Warrant in NJ
The lawyers at The Law Offices of John J. Zarych can assist you with every step of the process. Call our offices today at (609) 616-4956 for a free consultation.
