Is there a way to find out if I have a warrant?
Following an investigation by police, the officers provide the prosecutor with a police report and request a warrant. If the prosecutor agrees that the defendant committed a crime, they prepare an arrest warrant.
Protect Yourself Before You Are Charged
If you were involved in an incident that you believe may lead to charges against you, you must not ignore the matter and hope for the best. Chances are, if you are honest with yourself, you will have a pretty good idea if you are in danger of being charged. If you have been charged, the charges will never go away until they are dealt with in court. If you have not been charged (yet), it is a perfect time to have an experienced, respected, and top-rated criminal defense attorney enter the picture, do the inquiring for you, and perhaps talk the police or prosecutor into not charging you. An experienced lawyer may also be able to prevent you from being arrested on new charges. If you’re asking yourself, “how do I find out if I have a warrant?” it is time to call a qualified, experienced lawyer to help you.
Can I find out if there are charges without a lawyer?
The answer is maybe yes, and maybe no. If the charge is already filed, the court’s clerk might tell you if there is a pending charge. Many courts will not release this information until the defendant is arraigned on open felony or misdemeanor charges. If your charges are still being investigated and charges are not issued, the court staff will not be able to provide you with any information whatsoever.
If you decide to first look into the matter yourself, you can check the city’s district court website where the incident occurred. You log on to the court website, and if it has a case search function available, you can enter your name and see if there is an outstanding case against you. Using an online court’s docket search function is a convenient and anonymous way to investigate the matter.
If you call the court, you would ask the criminal clerk if a case is pending against you. Again, they may or may not answer your question. If a clerk sees charges against you (a warrant), the clerk may tell you you must come into court or the police department and present identification before they will give you an answer. You will likely be taken into custody and brought before a magistrate for arraignment when you arrive in court. You should never, never go to court without a lawyer. If you are told you must appear in court or the police department for any reason, you should end your self-help efforts at that point.
You can also call the local police station, the sheriff, or the State Police and ask them if a case is pending or charges have been filed in court. They are used to people calling and asking how to “find out if I have a warrant?” or “how to find out if there are pending charges against me for free?” However, this can quickly become problematic. If an investigation is ongoing or charges have already been filed, you will immediately be pressed by the officer you are speaking to either come into the station or answer some probing questions. You will most likely be intimidated and nervous and will be reluctant to end the conversation at the risk of offending the officer. Getting tricked into talking with the police is a common and utterly human reaction to being in such a position. In the worst-case scenario, the officer will misinterpret something you say and use it against you. A lawyer can contact the police on your behalf without fear that something will be said or done to be used against you in court or an investigation.
Invoke the Fifth and Remain Silent if You are Arrested
If you have contact with law enforcement or a police officer, you should immediately invoke your right to remain silent and ask for an attorney. You should know that the officer will not be offended, and they will know you are only exercising a constitutional right. Think of it this way, if the officer’s family member was accused of a crime, the first thing they would tell their loved one to do is to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. No one knows better than a police officer that the entire point of speaking with a person under investigation is to build a case and obtain an incriminatory statement through any trickery necessary.
What can a lawyer do for me? How can a lawyer find out if I have a warrant?
Everything. An astute, reputable criminal defense attorney will know precisely how to deal with the situation. They will contact the court and ask if you are in the court system. Clerks usually will tell an attorney. An attorney can also call the police and ask if they have a case on you. Sometimes they will not tell the attorney if a case is still under investigation, but the best attorneys know how to get information out of law enforcement politely and professionally. Even if charges haven’t been obtained, your attorney can contact the officer in charge and tell them that they do not need to come out and arrest you if there is a warrant. Police officers like the idea of not having to track people down. The police will most likely rely on a known and respected defense lawyer’s assertion that the defendant will voluntarily appear in court.
If a case is being investigated, sometimes the police will want to discuss the case with a retained attorney. If so, it is the attorney’s perfect opportunity to attempt to dissuade the police from seeking a warrant. There are countless ways a top-rated attorney can do this, and they are too many to mention here. However, knowing how to do this effectively divides the best attorneys from inferior ones. If you wait until you have been charged or wait for a court-appointed attorney, the opportunity to stop or reduce charges is lost forever.
If you find out that you have a warrant, you’ll want the best defense attorneys in your corner.
The dedicated, experienced, and zealous defense attorneys at LEWIS & DICKSTEIN, P.L.L.C. have successfully represented thousands of clients under investigation for possible felony and misdemeanor charges in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties and throughout Michigan. We have a well-earned reputation for providing the highest quality defense and aggressive representation, while showing empathy and care for each client. Our aggressive and savvy lawyers are your best chance to stop or reduce potential charges, call us, and we will find a way to help you. If you wonder, “how do I find out if charges are filed against me or I have a warrant?” it is time to call us.
Call us today at (248) 263-6800 for a free consultation or complete a Request for Assistance Form. We will contact you promptly and find a way to help you.
We will find a way to help you and, most importantly,
we are not afraid to win!
