One of the most-asked questions I deal with as a criminal defense attorney
is what a person should do when he thinks there is a warrant for his arrest.
I always tell people the same thing: first thing’s first, speak to
a lawyer. When a client calls my office and tells us he thinks he might
have a warrant, we immediately try to set up an in-office meeting. I need
to know what sort of case we’re dealing with and whether the person
has already had contact with law enforcement officers. In addition, we
contact the Sheriff’s Department and inquire about the person’s
warrant status. If there is not a warrant in the system, that does not
necessarily mean that a warrant does not exist. In those instances, an
attorney may have to contact the investigator working the case, if there
is one or, depending on the circumstances, other law enforcement agencies
or courts.
However, if we find there is an active warrant, we will find out the bond
amount and put you in touch with a reputable bond company. In order to
do a “walk-through” in Williamson County, three things must
happen. A person must be booked in, a bond must be posted and a person
must either see a magistrate or have his attorney file a Waiver of Magistration.
Once we have contacted a bond company we will then determine the best
day and time for the person to turn himself in. Once he’s been turned
in, the bond company will post the bond and, about the same time, I will
come to the jail to file a Waiver of Magistration so the person does not
have to wait to see a magistrate, which can sometimes take hours. Once
the bond has been posted and the Waiver of Magistration has been filed,
the only thing left is the person must get booked in. The time it takes
to get booked varies. However, with a walk-through, the person will not
have to spend the night or change his clothes into the dreaded orange jumpsuit.
After we’ve completed the walk-through, we will get a court date. At
that time, my office sends a letter of representation to the court and
usually that court date will be reset for approximately a month. Before
the first court date, my office will request the police report and all
videos in the case. In addition, we will sit down at my office and discuss
the case at length so that we are prepared for the first court setting.
If you think you may have an warrant, call my office immediately. We’ll
work to make this stressful situation as painless as possible by guiding
you every step of the way.