If You Have A Warrant Can You Just Pay It? (How To Get Rid Of A Warrant)

If You Have A Warrant Can You Just Pay It - Things You Can Do If You Have A Warrant - What To Do If You Have A Warrant

If you have a warrant, can you just pay it? 

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • whether you can pay off warrants
  • how warrants work
  • what happens when you have a warrant
  • how do you know if you have a warrant
  • what to do if you have a warrant

Let’s dig in.

Table of Contents

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If You Have A Warrant Can You Just Pay It?

No, if you have a warrant out for your arrest, you cannot just pay it. 

Warrants get issued when a person:

  • fails to appear in court 
  • fails to follow a court order

When you have a warrant, you cannot just pay it off.

You will have to satisfy the thing that you have a warrant for.

Meaning you have to show up to court or follow the court order. 

If you have a warrant out for your arrest, it is important to:

  • speak with an attorney 
  • take appropriate legal action to address the situation

Ignoring a warrant can lead to serious consequences, including:

  • getting arrested 
  • going to prison

How Do Warrants Work?

Warrants for arrest are legal documents that get issued by a judge. 

It authorizes police to arrest someone suspected of committing a crime. 

Warrants get issued when:

  • there is probable cause someone committed a crime
  • the person needs to get brought into custody

To get a warrant, police have to submit an affidavit to the judge. 

This affidavit provides the judge with:

  • the probable cause
  • the facts and circumstances of the case

If there is probable cause, the judge will issue a warrant. 

Once the warrant gets issued, police can take you into custody. 

They can detain you:

  • at work
  • at your home
  • any location you may be

Read More: How Long Do You Have To Turn Yourself In After A Warrant?

What Does It Mean To Have A Warrant?

What does it mean to have a warrant? 

Having a warrant means a judge has given police authorization for things like:

  • arresting you
  • searching your property

The different types of warrants are:

  • Arrest Warrant: Arrest warrants mean that police are authorized to take you into custody. They will bring you before a judge to face charges related to a crime you are suspected of committing.
  • Search Warrant: Search warrants allow law enforcement officials to search a specific location, such as your home or office, to look for evidence related to a crime.
  • Bench Warrant: A bench warrant means that you failed to appear in court for a scheduled hearing or trial, and the judge has ordered your arrest.

What Happens When You Get A Warrant?

When you get a warrant, police are authorized to take certain actions against you. 

The specific consequences of having a warrant issued against you can vary.

It depends on the type of warrant and the circumstances of the case.

But here are some common outcomes:

  • Arrest: If an arrest warrant has been issued against you, law enforcement officials have the authority to arrest you and take you into custody.
  • Search: If a search warrant has been issued against you, law enforcement officials have the authority to search your property or seize certain items, such as documents or electronic devices.
  • Court Appearance: If a bench warrant has been issued against you, you may be required to appear in court to address a legal issue or to comply with a court order.
  • Limited Travel: If an arrest warrant has been issued against you, you may be limited in your ability to travel within certain areas, as law enforcement officials may be actively searching for you.
  • Legal Consequences: Depending on the circumstances of the case, having a warrant issued against you can result in legal consequences, such as fines, jail time, or a criminal record.

How Do You Know If You Have A Warrant?

If you are concerned that there may be a warrant issued against you, there are a few ways to find out:

  • Contact Law Enforcement: Contact your local police department or sheriff’s office. They will be able to tell you if there is a warrant for your arrest.
  • Check Court Records: Check the court records in the county where you live. Warrants are public records, so you can find them by searching the court’s website or by going to the courthouse in person.
  • Hire an Attorney: A lawyer will be able to check the court records and find out if there is a warrant for your arrest. They will also be able to help you understand your rights and options if you are arrested.

Let’s say that you find out that you have a warrant.

It is important to turn yourself in to the police as soon as possible. 

If you are arrested, you will be taken to jail and will have a chance to post bail. 

If you are unable to post bail, you will remain in jail until your trial.

Read More: How Long Does It Take To Get A Search Warrant?

Things You Can Do If You Have A Warrant

What can you do if you have a warrant out for your arrest? 

Here are things you can do if you have a warrant:

  • Remain calm: It is important to remain calm and avoid making any impulsive decisions that could make the situation worse.
  • Contact an Attorney: A criminal defense attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and may be able to negotiate with law enforcement officials on your behalf. They can also represent you in court and work to have the charges against you reduced or dismissed.
  • Determine the Type of Warrant: You should find out the type of warrant that has been issued against you, whether it is an arrest warrant, a search warrant, or a bench warrant.
  • Gather Information: You should gather as much information as possible about the warrant, including the jurisdiction where it was issued and the charges against you.
  • Contact a Bail Bondsman: If you are arrested, you will need to post bail in order to be released from jail. A bail bondsman can help you post bail and can provide you with information about the bail process.
  • Turn Yourself In: You can turn yourself in to the authorities and be taken into custody. This can help show that you are taking responsibility for your actions and can help reduce the risk of a more serious penalty.
  • Post Bail: If you are arrested, you may be able to post bail, which is a sum of money that is paid to the court to secure your release from custody. Bail can be posted by you or someone else on your behalf. However, if you fail to appear in court as required, the bail may be forfeited.
  • Challenge the Warrant: If you believe that the warrant was issued in error or that your rights were violated during the investigation, you can challenge the validity of the warrant in court.

FAQs About If You Have A Warrant Can You Just Pay It

Here are FAQs we found about paying off a warrant. 

Can A Warrant Be Issued Over The Phone?

Sometimes police may be able to obtain a warrant over the phone. 

But, warrants are usually not issued over the phone. 

Warrants are legal documents that must be authorized by a judge or magistrate.

This requires a written application that outlines the reasons why a warrant is needed.

But, sometimes police may be able to obtain a warrant over the phone. 

Let’s say there is an emergency situation that requires immediate action.

This could be things like:

  • a threat to public safety 
  • a risk of evidence being destroyed

Can You Renew Your License If You Have A Warrant?

In some cases, outstanding warrants can prevent you from:

  • renewing your driver’s license 
  • obtaining other types of official documents

It may depend on the jurisdiction and the nature of the warrant. 

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