Dealing with legal troubles is rarely ever cheap. There are numerous costs related to arrest warrants, but the warrant itself is not one of them.
You cannot simply pay off an arrest warrant to make it go away in Philadelphia. People are sometimes a little confused about this issue as various fees often come along with arrest warrants, predominantly bail. Some warrants, like bench warrants, are issued because you owe money, but the money is not owed toward the warrant itself. To make a warrant go away, you can speak to a lawyer and figure out why it was issued in the first place. If you cannot clear the warrant without being arrested, you and your attorney can prepare for whatever comes next. You should not have to pay any money for an arrest warrant in Philadelphia, although you might have other fees and costs.
If you believe a warrant has been issued for your arrest, call our Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys immediately, and we can help you figure out what to do next. For a free case review, call The Law Offices of Lloyd Long at (215) 302-0171.
Paying Off an Arrest Warrant in Philadelphia
Although you might end up paying some money after an arrest warrant is issued, none of the money is actually for the warrant itself. You cannot clear the warrant by paying it off like a debt or bill. However, other issues connected to the warrant might come with a fee. Our Montgomery County criminal defense attorneys can help you understand your situation and determine if any fees must be paid.
One of the first big payments connected to an arrest warrant is bail. Historically, bail consisted of a monetary fee paid to the court to secure pretrial release. Recently, numerous states have enacted bail reform that reduces, limits, or bans cash bail. However, cash bail might still be possible in more serious cases. Cash bail may be part of why some people believe you can simply pay off warrants. From the outside, it would appear that you pay a fee after being arrested to avoid going to jail, but this is not entirely correct.
Once an arrest warrant is executed and a person has been taken into custody, the warrant has been cleared. You cannot pay off the warrant at that point because there is no more warrant. Bail is an entirely separate fee. As your case progresses, you might encounter other court costs, fees, and fines, but none of these are paid towards your arrest warrant.
How to Make an Arrest Warrant Go Away in Philadelphia
There are a few ways to make an arrest warrant go away, but none involve paying it off. For starters, you can clear a warrant by allowing yourself to be taken into custody by the police, although you should discuss this option with your attorney first. Depending on the type of warrant, you might be able to contact the court and work something out. Our Philadelphia criminal defense attorneys can review your options and help you clear an arrest warrant.
Bench warrants are issued by judges when defendants miss court hearings, fail to pay fines, or fail to comply with a court order. Bench warrants are not issued for new crimes. If there is a bench warrant out for your arrest, an attorney can help you reach out to the court and work on getting it cleared. For example, the judge might agree to lift the bench warrant if we call and reschedule a missed court date. Similarly, paying any outstanding fines might also get the warrant lifted. However, you cannot pay the court in exchange for clearing the warrant.
A standard arrest warrant drafted by law enforcement and approved by a judge is not so easily cleared. The primary way these warrants are cleared is through arrests. In rare circumstances, the warrant might be lifted in new evidence comes to light that makes your arrest unnecessary. However, most defendants must go through the arrest process to clear the warrant and move their case forward. It is possible to turn yourself in to expedite the process, but you should consult with our Northeast Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers first.
What Happens if I Cannot Clear a Warrant for My Arrest in Philadelphia?
If you cannot have a warrant cleared, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. There is a good chance that law enforcement officials will take you into custody, book you, and place you in jail. You may also face custodial interrogations while prosecutors assess your charges. Our Delaware County criminal defense attorneys can help you through this incredibly difficult period.
Sometimes judges are reluctant to lift a bench warrant even if you can resolve the underlying issue for the warrant. For example, even if you call the court to reschedule your missed court date, the judge might hesitate to lift the warrant if you have a history of missing court dates. Standard arrest warrants are usually only cleared when a suspect is arrested.
Whether you are facing a standard arrest warrant or a bench warrant, you may be arrested if the warrant is not cleared or lifted. The arrest is what kicks off the entire criminal justice process, and you might be facing a lengthy legal battle. Remember, this is only Step One of the process. Being arrested does not mean you will automatically be found guilty or end up waiting in jail for months until your trial. Your best option is to call a lawyer immediately.
An attorney can immediately begin working on your bail. Not only that, but a lawyer can be present with you while the police question you. Having an attorney by your side can help you avoid self-incrimination and strengthen your case.
Contact Our Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorneys for Help
If you believe there is a warrant out for your arrest, no amount of money will simply make it go away. However, our Bucks County criminal defense attorneys might be able to help you get the warrant cleared or lifted. For a free case evaluation, call The Law Offices of Lloyd Long at (215) 302-0171.