Call to schedule an appointment - (256) 314-9017
Call to schedule an appointment - (256) 314-9017
In this article, you can discoverโฆ
In Alabama, a bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone fails to appear for a required court date. In essence, it’s a court order that gives law enforcement the legal authority to arrest you for missing that scheduled appearance. To find out if you have a bench warrant, you can contact your local law enforcement agency, typically the sheriffโs office. They can confirm whether a valid bench warrant has been issued against you.
A bench warrant gives law enforcement the power to arrest you, regardless of your location. Whether you’re at home, at your job, or out in public, you can be taken into custody at any time. The warrant authorizes officers to act wherever and whenever they locate you.
Ignoring a bench warrant can result in being arrested. Beyond that, it may lead to additional criminal charges or enhanced penalties for the original offense that you failed to appear for. This could include more jail time or higher fines. From a legal standpoint, a bench warrant and any resulting charges will permanently stain your criminal record, affecting future background checks, including those for employment, housing, or professional licensing.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can take proactive steps to address your bench warrant. Depending on the circumstances behind your failure to appear, your attorney may be able to present mitigating factors to the court that explain or justify your absence.
Negotiating with prosecutors and discussions with the judge is just one way a seasoned attorney can often help reduce the consequences or even have a warrant dismissed entirely. This can prevent arrest and possibly resolve the matter without having to serve jail time.
The most common mistake people make is ignoring the bench warrant out of fear or uncertainty. Unfortunately, doing nothing typically makes the situation worse. The way I help my clients with handling bench warrants in Alabama is by maintaining constant communication. I do everything I can to ensure that all of the clients I serve know when their hearings are scheduled and where they need to be. My role includes taking responsibility for keeping them informed so they don’t miss court dates.
If a client does miss a hearing, I step in immediately to explain the situation to the judge and present any valid reasons for the absence. My goal is to minimize your risk of punishment and resolve the issue with the least possible impact on your record.
For more information on handling bench warrants in Alabama, an initial consultation is your next best step. Get the information and legal answers you are seeking by calling (256) 314-9017 today.