Do you have a warrant out for your arrest? If so, the police then possess the authority to apprehend you anywhere, and at any time, within the provincial jurisdiction in which the warrant was issued. However, if the criminal offence is severe enough, a nationwide warrant – encompassing all of Canada – may be issued as well.
If such is the case, the police have the jurisdiction to apprehend you at your home, at work, or even at school; resulting in both an avoidable and embarrassing situation. As such, if you’re wondering if a warrant is out for your arrest, a criminal defence lawyer in Calgary can help.
At Batting, Wyman, we house a dedicated and experienced team of criminal lawyers in Calgary who can help guide you through this turbulent time in your life. Keep reading to learn more.
Why Would A Warrant Be Issued For Your Arrest?
There can be multiple reasons why a warrant may be issued for your arrest. Some of these reasons include:
- Charges have been laid but police are unable to find you.
- You did not show up for your court date.
- After being charged, you failed to show up at the police station for identification processing.
- You violated your release terms on another illegal offence.
- You did not show up to court as a witness after being summoned.
How to Find Out if There’s a Warrant For Your Arrest
A warrant for your arrest is a serious afront. For this reason, if you believe a warrant has been issued, it’s essential that you bring to light whether this notion is true or false. By doing so, you can take the right actions to eliminate the warrant. If you let this predicament fall by the wayside, it will hang over your head for the rest of your life.
Police Queries
One method to determine if you have a warrant for your arrest is to get in touch with the police and simply ask. However, this information will not be disclosed to you via phone call. An in-person visit to the police station with government-issued photo ID will enable you to procure the information you’re looking for.
If a warrant has been issued, you will be apprehended right then and there. Based on the seriousness of the charge, it’s possible to get a released on a Promise to Appear or you may be detained and put through a bail hearing. If you opt for visiting the police station to find out if there’s a warrant for your arrest, leave your cellphone at home. It’s not uncommon by any stretch for police to seize it and search for incriminating evidence.
Court Clerk
Another method to determine if a warrant has been issued for your arrest is to visit your community courthouse and talk to the court clerk. Similar to the police, this information can only be procured in person, so you’ll need to arrive with government-issued photo ID. And also similar to the police, if a warrant has been issued, you will be detained and placed under arrest on the spot.
Hire a Lawyer
Easily the safest method for finding out if a warrant has been issued for your arrest is to hire a defence lawyer in Calgary. The reason being is that a lawyer can call the Crown Prosecutors’ office and procure this information on your behalf without you taking any risk.
If a warrant has been issued for your arrest, your lawyer can set up a time and place in order for you to turn yourself into the police and can also negotiate to settle a release agreement. With a lawyer by your side, you can create a bail plan before having the warrant eliminated.
Executing a Warrant
Typically, there are two methods for the execution of a warrant. The traditional way is being arrested, because the warrant is executed regardless of whether the police find you or you turn yourself in.
If you opt to turn yourself in, be sure not to do so on a Friday or late in the evening/night time. By doing so, you can avoid spending the weekend, or the night, behind bars.
Turning yourself in simply involves going to any police station and informing the person sitting at the desk of your warrant. Consequently, you will immediately be arrested, followed by the execution of the warrant. Upon your release, you’ll be provided with a court date as well as an inventory of your infractions.
Another method to handle a warrant is to show up in court and request the judge for the execution of the warrant. However, this is a challenging process to go through without the aid of a lawyer. Few judges will allow this without a good reason as to why you can’t turn yourself into a police station.
This usually only occurs if the warrant was falsely issued or your lawyer did not appear in court. When presented with a client with an outstanding warrant, our lawyers will routinely have warrants brought into court by the presiding judge to avoid the client having to turn themselves in.
Conclusion
Getting the right information regarding your warrant status is crucial. However, it’s important to go about it the right way as to not put yourself through any more hardship than is necessary. As such, if you find yourself in a similar situation and feel you need guidance, contact us today.
Our team of experienced and dedicated criminal defence lawyers at Batting, Wyman are here to serve.
Blog posts from Batting, Wyman Barristers are for general information only. The content should not be considered legal advice. If you are in need of professional legal advice, please Book a free 30-minute consultation.
