Ignoring a Bench Warrant in Oklahoma Can Cause Serious Problems
In Oklahoma, there are a couple of ways that you can get arrested—neither way is pleasant. We all know that you can get arrested at the scene of a crime for say a DUI. The police stop your car, you fail a breathalyzer, and the police arrest you on the spot. A bench warrant is different.
Let’s say you have a matter before the courts and as part of the court’s sentence, you are ordered to pay certain costs associated with the matter. It might be a Tulsa misdemeanor charge or a even felony. Time passes and you forget about the costs, or you don’t have the money to pay them.
In that case, the court, after reviewing your case to see if you have complied with the court’s order, notices the non-payment and issues a bench warrant or warrant for your arrest. The next time you come to a police officer’s attention, whether from a DUI or other matter, the police can immediately arrest you and take you to jail. This can cause a serious and immediate problem.
The purpose of this post is to help you understand what actions you can take to handle a bench warrant in Tulsa, Oklahoma short of being arrested.
Understanding Bench Warrants
Bench warrants are arrest warrants issued by a judge for failure to comply with court orders or a failure to appear in court. When a bench warrant is issued, it authorizes law enforcement officers to immediately arrest the individual named in the warrant and bring them before the court. Once arrested, that person may be held in custody until they can appear before the judge who issued the warrant or another appropriate court.
Judges do not like it when a person ignores or fails to comply with their orders. A bench warrant can result in significant additional fines or jail time. It appears on your criminal record and can negatively affect a judge’s decision to release you from jail pending a trial or hearing on the matter.
If you have determined that a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest, there are things you can do to minimize the negative impacts of a bench warrant. Perhaps the first and most important of these is to consult with a Tulsa criminal attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can help you understand how best to handle the bench warrant given your particular circumstances.
Steps to Take When Facing a Bench Warrant
One of the first things you and your attorney may do is to confirm the warrant. You can do this by checking online court records through the Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) website or contacting the court directly.
It is essential that you understand the charges or reasons behind the bench warrant. This information will be important for you and your attorney to build a defense or negotiate with the court. When a court order falls through the cracks because of issues such as job loss or other major event, courts may be more likely to work with you and your attorney to resolve the issue, especially in matters involving the payment of fines. You or your attorney may be able to set up a payment schedule that works for you. Your attorney can also help you surrender to authorities in a way that you can control. Controlling the situation can make it less anxiety-provoking.
The worst thing you can do is to do nothing in the face of a bench warrant issued in your name. Doing nothing will ensure that eventually, the law will catch up with you, almost always at an inopportune time and place.
Resolving the Bench Warrant
There are a number of ways to resolve the bench warrant. For the most part, you will need to be prepared to handle the warrant itself as well as the underlying issue that caused the warrant to be issued.
In handling the warrant itself, handling the surrender is the first step. Coordinate with a Tulsa criminal defense attorney to arrange a court appearance. Your attorney may be able to negotiate a bond or a reduced bond amount that will enable you to be freed until your appearance date. If there is a problem with the validity of the warrant, your attorney may motion the court to quash the warrant, leaving just the underlying issues for resolution at the hearing. It’s essential to comply with the court’s orders and show up at the scheduled date and time.
At the hearing, your attorney can help you address any mitigating circumstances, negotiate a resolution with the prosecutor or judge, or arrange for payment of fines or fees if that was the reason for the warrant. This could include entering a plea, negotiating a plea deal, or going to trial if necessary. Once a resolution is worked out it is important to comply with the terms of the resolution.
Consult with a Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
When facing a bench warrant, it is important to take action. There are steps you can take that will help you control and handle the situation, moving you toward a positive resolution. Though it can feel overwhelming, consulting with a Tulsa criminal attorney can help. Call the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm today at 918-256-3400. We can provide personalized guidance based on your unique situation. If you are interested in discussing your case or learning more about bench warrants, our team of experienced attorneys at the Tulsa Criminal Defense Law Firm is here to help.
We are dedicated to providing reliable legal advice and representing clients throughout the criminal process. Together, we can navigate the complexities of the criminal court process and work towards a positive outcome.