If you step outside the jurisdiction of your home city without first getting a warrant, police may arrest you and bring you back to answer questions about why you left home without permission. This is called being arrested “without lawful excuse.” Once you get a warrant in your home city, police are supposed to let you go and not try to arrest you again as long as they know where they can find you. If they don’t know where they can find you, then they should hand you over to the custody of the law enforcement agency that issued the warrant. Being arrested under these circumstances isn’t exactly ideal, but it can be a lot worse if the person who arrested you has an arrest warrant for violation of their parole or probation conditions in another jurisdiction. Even if the other jurisdiction is hundreds of miles away from where the arrest happened, local police may still enforce that arrest warrant on anyone who was involved in violating it. You don’t want to run into this scenario either – here’s what happens if it does.
What Happens If I Have a Warrant In Another City?
If you have a warrant in another city, you should contact the issuing authority in that city to get the warrant properly registered and processed. If you do not register and process the warrant, you may be subject to criminal and civil penalties.
What Happens If a Warrant Is Executed in Another City?
Out of Town Warrants
If the person named on the warrant is outside the jurisdiction where it was issued, police have to be careful not to execute that warrant in such a way that they violate the laws of another jurisdiction. Most jurisdictions have laws that protect their citizens from being arrested or detained by police officers outside their jurisdiction. This is especially true if they are arrested on a civil matter. If you are named on an out-of-town warrant, and you know there is a possibility that law enforcement might be looking for you, it’s a good idea to consult with an attorney to make sure you don’t run afoul of any laws in other jurisdictions.
Warrants for Offenses Committed Outside Your Jurisdiction
If the crime was committed outside your jurisdiction, you can ask for extradition if necessary. However, extradition is not automatic and may be denied for several reasons including:
Arresting Officers Might Not Be Aware You Have A Warrant From Another Jurisdiction
If you have an out-of-town warrant, it’s possible that the arresting officer will not be aware that there is a warrant for your arrest. If you are taken into custody, and you have a warrant from another jurisdiction, the arresting officer might take the additional step of having their agency contact the issuing agency to confirm that it is valid. They may also be willing to hold you for up to 48 hours to give them time to figure out what to do with you.
You Can Get Legal Representation
If you’ve been arrested on an out-of-town warrant, or if police attempt to arrest you on a warrant from another jurisdiction, contact an attorney immediately. Your attorney can protect your rights and help get the entire process resolved quickly so that it doesn’t affect your life any more than necessary.
What Can Be Determined by a Warrant?
Arrest Warrant
An arrest warrant is issued when someone has been charged with a crime and the judge finds that there is probable cause to believe they committed it. The warrant will include the date, time, and place of the crime, and the name of the person charged. It may also include additional information such as what they did to commit the crime, or why they are being arrested. Some warrants may be issued for misdemeanors while others are for felonies.
Search Warrants
A search warrant is used by law enforcement to legally search private property for evidence of a crime. The warrant must be signed by a judge based on probable cause that evidence of a crime can be found there, along with specific details about exactly what can be searched for and where it can be found within the property in question. Based on this information police will go to the property and conduct their search, removing only those items specified in their warrant unless additional items are discovered that would fall under an exception to this rule (such as if they find more evidence than was specified).
Bench Warrant
A bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone does not show up to court as required or fails to pay their bail or bond. A bench warrant is not used for the initial detention of an individual, but rather for the enforcement of a legal bond (or bail) that has already been set by a judge. The judge will issue the warrant and then it is up to law enforcement officers whether they choose to execute it or not. If they do decide to enforce it, they will go find the individual in question and bring them back before the court in question so that they can be dealt with appropriately.
What Happens If A Warrant Is Unfulfilled?
Unfulfilled Bench Warrant
If a bench warrant is issued and not fulfilled, the judge may issue additional fines or penalties. The person will also be at risk of being arrested if they are found by law enforcement.
Unfulfilled Search Warrant
If a search warrant is issued and not fulfilled, the judge may issue additional fines or penalties against the property owner as well as against any individuals who were involved in the search.
Unfulfilled Arrest Warrant
If an arrest warrant is issued and not fulfilled, the judge may issue additional fines or penalties against the person who failed to appear in court. They may also be subject to arrest if they are found by law enforcement.
How To Get Out Of Being Held On A Warrant?
Be Aware of Your Warrant
If you know that you have an outstanding warrant and are in the area where they could be looking for you, it is a good idea to make yourself aware of what the warrant is for, who issued it, and when it expires. This way you can avoid being arrested by law enforcement.
Avoid Being Found by Law Enforcement
If you know that there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, avoid being found by law enforcement officers. It is a very good idea to not go into areas where law enforcement officers are known to be patrolling because this increases your chances of being found and arrested.
Contact Your Local Sheriff’s Office
Contact your local sheriff’s office if you have an arrest warrant out on you and make arrangements to turn yourself in or arrange bail with them. If possible, do not wait until the last minute but let them know as soon as possible if there is a warrant out on you so that they can help keep track of when it expires.
Arrange for Bail
If you have an outstanding warrant and you know that law enforcement officers are actively looking for you, it is a good idea to arrange for bail so that you will not be arrested if found by law enforcement.
Be Careful About What You Post on Social Media
If you are wanted by law enforcement, avoid posting anything on social media that could give your location away. This includes photos of yourself at locations where you know law enforcement officers are looking for you.
Bottom Line
If you’re being sought by police on a warrant, then you should quickly try to get a warrant in your home city. If you’re caught without a warrant in your home city, you run the risk of being arrested and brought back to answer questions or being held on the warrant. If you’re caught in another city with a warrant, then you should try to get to the jurisdiction with the least amount of resistance possible. If you do that, then you should have a better chance of getting out of being held. Warn anyone who might help you escape from the warrant. A witness may testify at trial about what they saw if you’re caught and try to escape.
