If you have an active California bench or arrest warrant, you might have the option of getting the warrant recalled without having to make a court appearance, post bail, or even serve time in jail. A “bench warrant” is a warrant to arrest and hold someone who could have either:
- Failed to appear in court for any reason;
- Disobeyed a court order;
- Probation violation;
- Failed to pay fines;
- Failed to provide proof of enrollment in court-ordered class;
- Failed to provide a progress report for the court-ordered program;
- Failed to appear for a traffic citation.
Once a bench or arrest warrant is issued, you could be arrested and detained after you come into contact with law enforcement.
Quash a bench warrant
The legal process to recall or quash a bench warrant requires that either you:
- Appear in court before the judge;
- Have your attorney appear on your behalf.
The term “quash” simply means to have it removed from California's judicial system.
If your bench warrant was issued for a misdemeanor offense, your lawyer can appear in court on your behalf to get the warrant recalled. To appear “on your behalf” simply means you don't have to be present in court.
In all California criminal courthouses, there are a wide range of reasons why someone can have a judge issue a bench or arrest warrant for them.
One of the most common questions we receive from defendants with active warrants is how they can clear a warrant without serving jail time. It's important to note that having an active warrant can lead to unexpected arrests and legal complications, which can disrupt your life and cause unnecessary stress. Therefore, it's crucial to address this issue as soon as possible.
This article will review the different ways in which arrest or bench warrants are issued and attempt to clear these warrants without serving time in jail. Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers provide a review below, emphasizing the crucial role of legal representation in navigating these complex processes.
Why Are Arrest Warrants Issued in California?
Arrest warrants are different than bench warrants. Judges in California will typically issue an arrest warrant for someone who is wanted for a crime when:
- There is evidence of a crime presented to a judge by a prosecutor or police officer;
- A grand jury returns a criminal indictment.
Arrest warrants are normally issued after a criminal case is filed against someone who wasn't arrested at the scene of the crime.
A common example would involve financial fraud offenses, which often require a lengthy investigation.
Once the prosecutor has decided to file charges, it's likely the defendant is not already in police custody, thus making it necessary to pursue an arrest warrant.
It should be noted that law enforcement can normally only hold someone in custody for 48 hours without filing charges. This is why an arrest warrant is often issued after formal charges have been filed.
Why Are Bench Warrants Issued in California?
Bench warrants are normally issued while a case is pending or when a defendant is on probation after they were convicted.
A bench warrant is an order from a judge to arrest a defendant because of some failure by the defendant to follow the court's orders.
Frequently, a judge issues a bench warrant because the defendant failed to appear at a scheduled court date without notifying the court.
Probation violation
Another common reason for a bench warrant includes a situation when the court is notified that a defendant violated the terms of probation because:
- Failed to provide a required progress report, such as:
- DUI education class;
- Domestic violence counselling class;
- Community service.
Defendants on probation are usually required to provide these reports to the clerk's office by a specific date.
Yet another reason is that when a probation office sends information to the court, the defendant is arrested for a new crime and doesn't report the incident to probation.
Even in situations where police are not likely to attempt to find a defendant who has an active arrest warrant, they will still have the daily stress of knowing that any contact with police could result in their arrest.
Can I Avoid Jail Time If I Self-Surrender On a Warrant?
There is an unwritten rule that any defendant who enters the courthouse through the front door is much more likely to leave through the same front door.
This is based on the fact that many defendants with active warrants will attempt to evade capture and only appear in the courtroom because law enforcement tracked them down.
California criminal court judges will not view these types of defendants as favorably as one who decides to respect the process by voluntarily surrendering on the active warrant.
Prior Negotiation with Prosecutor to Arrange Release
Prior negotiations between an experienced criminal defense lawyer and the prosecutor can help expedite a defendant's “self-surrender” to the court.
This pre-surrender negotiation can increase the likelihood that the prosecutor will:
- Stipulate to your own recognizance release, or
- A stipulated bail amount.
Even in a situation where the defendant needs to post bail, it might be possible to get approval to allow the bond to be posted in court, which would prevent the need for a defendant to go into custody before they bail out.
The procedure to clear bench warrants in California will differ for each judge and courthouse.
Felony vs. misdemeanor cases
However, in all felony cases, a defendant must personally appear in court for a bench warrant to be recalled.
In California misdemeanor cases, most judges will allow a criminal lawyer representing a defendant to recall and quash a bench warrant without them appearing in the courtroom as defined under California Penal Code 977 PC.
Clearly, not having to personally appear in court gives a defendant many advantages, such as in a situation where they live out-of-state or have other circumstances that prevent them from going to court.
Why Should I Retain a Lawyer to Clear My Warrant?
If you have an active arrest warrant, contact our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers to review the details and options.
We will explain how, depending on different factors, you can get your warrant recalled without going to court or spending time in jail.
If you have a bench warrant for a probation violation, we might be able to recall it and persuade the court not to remand you into custody.
Clearing bench and arrest warrants without serving jail time requires an experienced criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with the following:
- Courtroom where the warrant must be recalled;
- Judge who issued the warrant;
- Prosecutor assigned to the case.
If you or a family member has an outstanding warrant for their arrest, contact our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys for an initial evaluation.
Cron, Israels & Stark is a top-rated criminal defense law firm located at 11755 Wilshire Blvd, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025. We also have an office at 401 Wilshire Blvd #1200, Santa Monica, CA 90401. Contact our office for a free case evaluation at (424) 372-3112.
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