When posting a bond in California, it’s important to know that you do not have an outstanding warrant anywhere else. If you have a warrant from another county or state, this can cause problems, resulting in a hold against your release. Hundreds of thousands of warrants are issued for people every year, and if you discover or are notified that a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you should not ignore it. A warrant for your arrest is something that can naturally be stressful, and eventually, you will be arrested and you will be booked and jailed.
This is why it’s vital to know that you don’t have any holds or warrants anywhere else when posting your bail bond. If you have a warrant in another jurisdiction, you need to make the most of free warrant checks in California.
What Should You Do if You Have an Arrest Warrant in California?
In California, the police can arrest you for committing a crime with or without a warrant. If you are arrested without a warrant, it is likely because you committed a crime an officer was witness to, for example, a DUI.
If an officer suspects that you have committed a crime, a police officer can go to a judge and ask for an arrest warrant to be issued. Judges issue warrants based on the following:
- Evidence presented by a District Attorney or police officer.
- After a Grand Jury indictment.
A judge can issue an arrest warrant in California based on the officer demonstrating probable cause that you have committed a crime.
How Can I Check if There Is a Warrant for My Arrest?
According to the state of California Department of Justice, the public can access most criminal data, either themselves or other people, online. When a judge issues an arrest warrant, the clerk of the court will enter it into a particular database.
An individual can find a warrant in the following places:
- The local court’s website.
- The local sheriff’s website.
- The website of the Superior Court of California.
Additionally, people can run a criminal background check on themselves to see if a warrant is pending.
Warrant Checks in California
While most warrants can be accessed by us at Balboa Bail Bonds and we can identify a hold, some warrants will not result in a delay that keeps you in custody. For example, these would include certain types of out-of-state warrants or traffic offenses. At Balboa Bail Bonds, we do our best to identify any holds and ensure that you will be released when you post a bail bond. If you are looking to get out of jail fast, you can get in contact with us to check if you have a warrant in the state of California.
How Do You Post Bail on an Outstanding Warrant in California?
Warrants will have bail amounts attached to them. Bail can be posted to the courthouse without needing to go through the sheriff’s booking process, but it’s important to note that every county will have its own specific policy on clearing warrants. For example, in San Bernardino, defendants must be booked and processed by the sheriff.
If you need to clear an outstanding warrant, you can either go to the court and request an appearance date, which could mean you run the risk of being arrested on the premises before appearing in court so you will remain in custody until you appear before the judge.
Alternatively, you can get in contact with us at Balboa Bail Bonds, and we will clear the warrant for you at the San Diego County Sheriff’s department. This can be beneficial because you will not be detained in custody by going to the court yourself, but also means you get assigned a new court date, allowing you to work on the case while being outside of custody.
What Is the Cost To Clear a Warrant in California?
Based on the status of your warrant, we can discuss the appropriate options for you. While we charge a 10% rate on the overall bail amounts, we can also offer discounted rates for specific individuals, including:
- Homeowners.
- Law enforcement members.
- Military and government members.
- AARP members.
- Teachers.
- Union members.
- Existing clients and their families.
If bail can be posted on your warrant, we will make the necessary arrangements to guarantee your release. After the bond has been posted, the warrant is recalled which triggers a date to be set for your appearance in court, so you know how much time you have to prepare your case adequately.
What if Bail Cannot Be Posted on a Warrant?
If what is known as a “no bail” warrant has been issued, you have the option to turn yourself in to law enforcement. You can turn yourself in directly to the court, but as a warrant has been issued for your arrest, you are classed as being suspected of dealing in criminal activities. If you turn yourself in of your own accord, it’s very likely you will be taken to jail immediately.
Judges have heard every type of excuse possible, and they are unlikely to be lenient with you purely because you have turned yourself in. While there is a chance you may be released on your own recognizance, it is likely you will remain in jail until the hearing.
You’ll have the opportunity to request a hearing by being put on the walk-in warrant calendar, but you must contact the court to determine the walk-in times. Sometimes, this is not available because of the warrant itself. For example, if the court has put a “no court surrender order” on your warrant, it is advisable to turn yourself in. If the order has not been put onto the warrant, you can show up where the original case was supposed to be heard, and you can request to be put on the hearing docket of that day.
If the bail is set at the hearing, you can post it by either paying or contacting a bail bondsman such as us.
Additional Warrants To Consider
A warrant is not a one-size-fits-all document, and warrants fall under two different types:
Bench Warrant
This is a warrant that is issued if you do not appear in court when you are summoned, regardless of whether you have a good reason or not.
Arrest Warrant
This is a warrant that is issued if you are suspected of participating in one or more crimes and the District Attorney’s office has filed formal charges against you.
Additionally, there are other specific warrants you may need to consider, based on the felony:
Out-Of-State Warrants
Out-of-state warrants can be harder to check. However, when you were first arrested, the arresting agency would likely notify them of your arrest and would be on a public record. When we do the free warrant checks in California, this is what we are looking for.
Child Support Arrears
Child support authorities tend to work with you if you have been held in custody which would result in you falling behind in your arrears. Child support authorities do not typically put out a warrant for your arrest unless you give a good reason for them to do so. For example, if you stop communicating with them and fail to maintain your child support obligations.
Traffic Warrants
This is the type of warrant that will need to be taken care of when you are out on bond. Driving without a license or having a suspended license can mean a misdemeanor, however, violating any laws when you are on bail is classed as a violation of your bond agreement. Therefore, driving without a license or a suspended one could put you back into custody.
What Would Happen to My Arrest Warrant if I Left the State?
If you are being sought by the court and you knowingly leave, you are considered a fugitive from justice, even if you think you are innocent of the charges. However, if you do not know about your warrant, you may not be considered a fugitive, which may alter the means of how you are brought back to California to face the charges.
Fugitives are subject to what is known as extradition, regardless of the reason they left the state. Extradition is the process of transporting a fugitive from the location they are hiding back to the country or state where the alleged offense was committed. Knowingly leaving the state means you will face criminal charges, as well as an enhanced penalty for fleeing the court.
Contact Balboa Bail Bonds for Your Free Warrant Checks In California
The warrant process under California law can be complex and technical, therefore, it is vital to ensure you have the right support on your side. Balboa Bail Bonds have agents available 24/7 365 to assist you with your checks in California, as well as any other support you may need.
With bilingual agents ready to help in English and Spanish, we can make the process easier and accessible for you. If you are concerned about a warrant or you need to find out if you have one that will prevent you from being released, get in contact with us today.
Tags: Free Warrant Checks