Criminal Defense Lawyers

How to Handle an Outstanding Arrest Warrant in Queens

Understanding Arrest Warrants in Queens

An arrest warrant is a court order authorizing police to arrest someone and bring them before a judge. In Queens, there are a few common reasons why arrest warrants may be issued:

• Failure to appear in court: If you miss a court date for a citation or criminal charge, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This is the most common cause of outstanding warrants.
• Probation violations: If you violate terms of probation, a warrant can be issued. Common violations include failed drug tests, missing appointments with your probation officer, or getting arrested for a new offense.
• Unpaid fines: Failure to pay court fines related to traffic tickets, misdemeanors or violations may result in an arrest warrant being issued until the money is paid.

If you have an outstanding warrant in Queens, it’s important to take care of it promptly to avoid being arrested at an unexpected or inconvenient time. Being arrested on a warrant can lead to additional charges or penalties. Here’s what you need to know:

Checking for Warrants

You can check if you have any outstanding warrants by searching the New York State Unified Court System’s online case lookup. This will tell you if there are any active warrants under your name in the five boroughs.You can also call the Queens County Criminal Court clerk at (718) 298-1000 to inquire about possible warrants. Give them your full legal name and date of birth. The clerk can look up pending cases and let you know if a warrant exists.

Turning Yourself In

If you find you do have an active Queens warrant, one option is to turn yourself in at the nearest NYPD precinct. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You will be fingerprinted, photographed, and held until seen by a judge or arrangements are made for your release.The advantage of surrendering voluntarily on a warrant is that it shows the court you are taking responsibility for your legal matters. Judges may reconsider bail/release options if you demonstrate accountability.

Posting Bail

For many minor warrants, you can post designated bail and be released until your next court appearance. For example, a bench warrant for failure to appear may list a set bail amount, which you can pay at the precinct to secure your release.If bail is not preset on a warrant, the judge will make a bail determination when you are brought to court after arrest. The judge considers factors like flight risk, public safety, and case circumstances when setting bail.Bail can be paid by cash or bond through a bail bonds agent. You must pay the full bail amount for release. A bonds agent usually charges a non-refundable 10% fee to post a bond for the remaining amount.

Getting the Warrant Lifted

To get an outstanding warrant lifted:

• Appear in court – For warrants issued due to missed court dates, appearing and having the bench warrant vacated by the judge will lift the warrant. Plead “not guilty” and request a future court date.
• Resolve the underlying issue – If the warrant stems from unpaid fines or tickets, resolving those matters will lift the warrant. You may need to enroll in a payment plan if you cannot pay fines in full.
• Request a recall – In some cases, your criminal defense lawyer can file a motion asking the judge to recall the warrant. Reasons may include health issues, not being properly notified of court dates, or unfair bail terms.

Recalls are not guaranteed but can be successful if evidence supports lifting the warrant. Speak to a criminal defense attorney to pursue this option.

Finding a Lawyer

If you are facing criminal charges along with your warrant, having a skilled Queens criminal defense lawyer represent you can make a big difference in the outcome. The lawyer can get warrants lifted, negotiate with prosecutors, and defend your case at trial if necessary.When researching defense lawyers, look for these important qualifications:

• Local experience – Find a lawyer familiar with Queens courts, judges, and district attorneys. This insider knowledge helps inform better defense strategies.
• Warrants expertise – Search for lawyer profiles highlighting warrant defenses and bail hearings as an area of specialty.
• Strong negotiators – The lawyer should have a proven record of getting favorable outcomes through plea bargains and settlements.

Good criminal lawyers will offer free case consultations. This lets you discuss your situation and determine if the lawyer is the right fit for you before hiring them. Consultations also provide key advice on next steps for your legal situation.

Consequences of Ignoring a Warrant

It’s tempting to ignore an outstanding warrant, hoping the matter will just go away. However, this only makes the situation much worse:

• Getting arrested at an unexpected time – Police may arrest you during a routine traffic stop, at work, at home or in other public places if they find the warrant. This is embarrassing and disruptive.
• Additional criminal charges – If arrested on a warrant, you may be charged with “failure to appear” or “bail jumping” on top of the original charges. This adds to your legal troubles.
• Higher bail terms – Judges view people arrested on warrants as flight risks. They are more likely to set higher bail or deny bail altogether.
• Longer jail stay – Being arrested on a warrant often means staying in jail until at least the next court date rather than being released sooner.
• Suspended driver’s license – Outstanding warrants can cause drivers license suspensions in some situations, like missing a court date for traffic citations.

Getting an open Queens warrant cleared quickly is vitally important for avoiding further legal issues down the road.

Finding Legal Help

Here are some useful sites for finding Queens criminal defense lawyers that can help get your warrant lifted:

• Queens County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
• Avvo Queens Criminal Defense Lawyers Directory
• Lawyers.com Queens Criminal Lawyers Search
• AttorneyPages.com Queens County Criminal Attorneys

When meeting with prospective lawyers, come prepared with your warrant paperwork, case numbers, court dates, and records of any fines owed. This helps the lawyer properly assess your situation and options.Handling an outstanding warrant promptly is critical for avoiding additional charges and moving forward with resolving your case. With an experienced Queens criminal defense lawyer guiding you, the process will go much smoother. Reach out for legal help today if you have an open warrant.