What Should I Do If I Have a Warrant Out for My Arrest?
Finding out there’s a warrant for your arrest is enough to make your heart sink. Whether you discovered it through a phone call, a letter, or an online search, your first instinct might be to panic — or worse, ignore it.
But take a deep breath. Warrants don’t go away on their own, but they also don’t mean all is lost. With the right help and guidance, you can address the situation head-on, protect your rights, and minimize the damage to your future.
Here’s what you need to know — and what to do — if you’re facing a warrant, according to experienced professionals in criminal defense in Colorado.
What Is a Warrant and Why Was It Issued?
A warrant is a legal order issued by a judge that allows law enforcement to arrest you or search your property. In Colorado, the most common types of warrants are:
- Arrest warrants: Issued when law enforcement or prosecutors believe there’s enough evidence that you committed a crime.
- Bench warrants: Issued by a judge when you fail to appear in court, violate probation, or miss a required legal step (like paying fines).
- Search warrants: Authorize law enforcement to search a specific place for evidence. (Not an arrest, but can be part of a criminal investigation.)
If you have an active arrest or bench warrant, the police have the legal right to arrest you at any time — at home, at work, during a traffic stop, or in front of your children.
That’s why consulting a lawyer who specializes in criminal defense in Colorado is the most important first step you can take.
How Do I Know If There’s a Warrant for Me?
If you’re unsure whether you have a warrant, here are a few ways to find out:
- Check online: Some Colorado counties offer online databases to check active warrants.
- Call the court clerk: They can confirm if a warrant was issued and for what case.
- Have your lawyer check: This is the safest and most confidential way. Your attorney can call the court or sheriff’s office on your behalf without risking your arrest.
Avoid calling the police directly. If they confirm a warrant over the phone, they may try to locate and arrest you immediately.
An attorney skilled in criminal defense in Colorado can discreetly confirm the warrant and start working on your next steps right away.
Should I Turn Myself In?
This is the most common — and important — question people ask after discovering a warrant. The answer: it depends, but usually yes — with legal help first.
Turning yourself in shows the court that you’re not trying to run from the law. But you should never do it without first speaking to a lawyer.
Your attorney can:
- Confirm the warrant and details (charges, bail amount, etc.)
- Schedule a surrender at a time that avoids surprise arrest
- Negotiate terms of surrender to reduce jail time or secure bond
- Possibly arrange to appear in court instead of being booked into jail
Every case is different, but voluntary surrender with legal representation can often lead to better bail outcomes and shorter detention.
That’s why having an advocate experienced in criminal defense in Colorado matters so much.
What Happens If I Don’t Take Care of the Warrant?
Ignoring a warrant never makes it go away. Instead, it makes things worse.
Consequences of ignoring a warrant include:
- Being arrested unexpectedly at home, work, or during a traffic stop
- Losing your chance at a favorable court outcome
- Facing additional charges for failure to appear
- Being held without bond (especially for repeat offenses)
- Damaging your chances of expunging or sealing your record later
Acting quickly — especially with a lawyer’s help — can help you avoid these worst-case scenarios.
Can a Lawyer Get a Warrant Dropped or Cleared?
Sometimes, yes — especially if the warrant was issued for a missed court date, unpaid fine, or administrative error. Your attorney may be able to:
- File a motion to quash the warrant
- Schedule a hearing to resolve the issue without an arrest
- Negotiate with the court for a new court date
- Clear up the issue through probation or restitution agreements
But time is critical. The longer you wait, the harder it is to resolve the situation favorably.
If you’re working with a trusted lawyer focused on criminal defense in Colorado, they can often take action behind the scenes to keep your case out of handcuffs and in the courtroom where it belongs.
What If I’m Out of State or Live Far Away?
If you now live outside Colorado or can’t return easily, you still need to deal with the warrant. Many warrants (especially for felonies) are extraditable, meaning police in another state can arrest and hold you for transfer back to Colorado.
Your attorney may be able to:
- Appear in court on your behalf (for some charges)
- File motions remotely
- Arrange for you to resolve the issue without coming back to Colorado (for certain low-level cases)
- Negotiate to convert the warrant to a summons or court date
You’ll need a lawyer familiar with the local courts, judges, and procedures — the kind of legal strategy that comes with experience in criminal defense in Colorado.
Real-World Example: A Missed Court Date Nearly Ruined Everything
A young man in Denver was cited for a misdemeanor but forgot his court date. A bench warrant was issued, and weeks later he was arrested during a routine traffic stop. He spent two nights in jail and missed work.
When he finally hired an attorney, the lawyer discovered the original citation had the wrong court date. A motion to quash the warrant was filed, and the case was dismissed due to clerical error.
If he had sought help sooner, he could have avoided jail entirely. That’s why timely legal support is so crucial to your criminal defense in Colorado.
What If I Already Posted Bail and Have a New Warrant?
Sometimes people are released on bond but violate their conditions — missing court, getting re-arrested, or not checking in with pretrial services.
In those cases, a new warrant may be issued. That could lead to:
- Bond being revoked
- Additional charges
- Higher bail or no bail
- A worse outcome at sentencing
Your defense attorney can petition the court to reinstate bond or address the issue before it gets worse. The sooner you act, the better your options will be.
Why It’s Worth Dealing With a Warrant the Right Way
Warrants create stress, anxiety, and constant fear of the unknown. You may lose sleep, avoid going out, or feel like your life is on hold.
But here’s the good news: the moment you contact a lawyer, you take back control.
With a strategic plan in place — guided by someone who understands criminal defense in Colorado — you can move from fear and uncertainty to clarity and action.
Most importantly, you protect your chance at a better outcome.
What to Do Next
Don’t wait for police to knock on your door. Take action today.
- Call now for a free, confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney in Colorado
- Get help checking the warrant, making a plan, and resolving the issue safely
- Your future is worth protecting — and we’re ready to help
Meet Dion Custis: A Criminal Defense Lawyer in Colorado Who Knows How to Win
For over 30 years, Dion J. Custis has fought for people just like you — individuals facing criminal charges and unsure of what comes next. Licensed in both Colorado and Wyoming, he’s handled thousands of cases in state and federal courtrooms, including:
- Felony assault charges
- Self-defense claims
- Allegations involving police officers
- Complex, high-stakes trial cases.
You don’t need to know the law. You need a criminal defense lawyer who knows how to use the law to protect you.
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