if you have a warrant can you just pay it

Paying Off a Warrant: Is It Possible and What Are the Implications?

Getting an arrest warrant can be scary. You may wonder if you can just pay off the warrant and make it go away. The short answer is—sometimes. Let’s break down what a warrant is, situations when you may be able to pay, and potential consequences if you try to ignore an outstanding warrant.

What Exactly is an Arrest Warrant?

A warrant is a court order authorizing police to arrest someone and bring them before a judge. Warrants are issued when law enforcement has probable cause to believe someone committed a crime.
There are a few types of warrants:

• Bench warrant – Issued when you miss a court date or violate a court order like probation.
• Arrest warrant – Issued when police have probable cause you committed a crime.
• Search warrant – Authorizes police to search a location and seize evidence of a crime.

In most cases, a judge sets bail when a warrant is issued. Bail is money defendants pay to the court in exchange for being released from jail while their case moves forward.
So if you have a warrant, you may be able to pay bail to resolve it, depending on the type of warrant and crime alleged.

Can You Pay Off a Warrant Directly?

Technically you can’t pay off a warrant itself. But paying bail allows you to resolve the warrant without being arrested. The key is getting the chance to post bail before police arrest you on the warrant.
Your ability to pay depends on:

• Type of warrant – Bench warrants for missing court allow bail, while serious felony warrants may not.
• Bail amount – Set based on severity of alleged crime.
• Turning yourself in – Police may let you post bail if you voluntarily surrender.

So for minor offenses like traffic violations or misdemeanors, you often can pay bail to resolve the warrant instead of being arrested. But turning yourself in is risky. If police decide you are a flight risk or danger to the community, they may deny bail and detain you.

What About Paying Fines or Fees Instead?

For bench warrants issued over unpaid fines or missed court fees, paying those costs is the only way to resolve the warrant. Police will arrest you on a bench warrant regardless of your ability to pay bail.
But fines and fees aren’t always an option with criminal arrest warrants. Getting arrested on a warrant means going before a judge to address bail, not just paying a predetermined amount.

Consequences of Trying to Ignore a Warrant

Trying to lay low and dodge an outstanding warrant rarely ends well. Law enforcement agencies share warrant information, so it’s just a matter of time before you get caught. Trying to avoid arrest will likely backfire by:

• Getting denied bail when caught since you are now a flight risk
• Additional “failure to appear” charges for missing court dates related to the warrant
• Compounding fines or fees you already owe
• Sitting in jail for weeks or months waiting for a court date

And having an active warrant severely limits your life. Options like renting an apartment, taking out loans, or landing a job get much harder with a warrant hanging over your head.
You essentially have three options if you have an outstanding warrant:

1. Turn yourself in – Safest option to avoid getting arrested at work or home. But no guarantee police let you post bail.
2. Wait for police to arrest you – Riskiest path that almost always ends with jail time.
3. Contact an attorney – Only wise decision is talking to a criminal defense lawyer about the warrant. An attorney may be able to get the warrant recalled or negotiate bail and surrender.

The bottom line? No, you can’t just pay off any warrant issued for your arrest. Getting caught with an outstanding warrant rarely ends well. Your best bet is finding an experienced local criminal lawyer to help resolve the situation. Don’t try to hide from warrants—get professional help addressing them.

What Should You Do If You Have a Warrant?

If you find out there’s a warrant for your arrest, staying calm is key. Don’t panic and do something rash. Carefully consider your options and understand it’s unwise trying to evade or pay off a warrant on your own.
Here are smart action steps if you discover you have an active warrant:

1. Verify the warrant – Confirm it’s valid and active by searching public records or calling the court clerk.
2. Review the allegations – Understand what crime you allegedly committed and evidence against you.
3. Hire an attorney – Only a lawyer can advise if you can pay fines/fees or should surrender strategically.
4. Discuss defenses – Explore legal defenses with counsel that may invalidate the charges.
5. Create a plan – Work with your lawyer to proactively resolve the warrant through paying owed money or structured surrender.

With an attorney’s help, you avoid risking additional charges or extended jail stays from trying to evade arrest. Paying bail or fines may resolve minor warrants, but legal guidance maximizes the chance charges get dismissed or reduced.
Don’t let fear over an arrest warrant lead you to make rash choices. Get advice from an experienced criminal defense lawyer before doing anything. Understanding the warrant allegations and evaluating defenses with counsel allows making informed, wise decisions.

Key Takeaways

• You can’t strictly pay off or resolve a criminal arrest warrant without surrendering to police first.
• Bench warrants for unpaid fines may allow resolving the warrant by paying money owed.
• Hiring a criminal defense attorney helps maximize the chance of pretrial release instead of jail.
• Evading an outstanding warrant often backfires harshly by limiting bail chances when caught.
• Verify active warrants, understand the allegations, and explore dismissal defenses with professional legal help.
So don’t panic if you discover you have an open arrest warrant. Get reliable advice from a lawyer on smart, strategic options tailored to your specific situation. With guidance, you can resolve the warrant properly instead of making rash choices leading to additional charges.