At Pattis & Paz, we understand the frustrations that come with our profession. One of the most common sources of our exasperation is when clients pay for our expertise but fail to heed our advice. Today, we want to address a crucial topic that we've previously touched upon in our videos – turning yourself in on a warrant. In this blog, we'll delve into the reasons why it's in your best interest to follow this advice and the importance of timing in this process.

Warrants: Once Issued, Irrevocable

As we've discussed in our previous content, it's vital to recognize that once a warrant is issued, it cannot be revoked. It's firmly embedded in the legal system, and it must be served. Serving a warrant essentially involves the police taking you into custody and processing you, which includes photographing, fingerprinting, and entering your information into the system.

Choosing To Surrender

Given the circumstances, it's usually in your best interest to surrender voluntarily before the authorities come to find you forcibly. The consequences of being served with a warrant in public places like your workplace or in the middle of the night at your home can be deeply embarrassing and traumatic, especially if your loved ones witness it.

Taking Control Of Your Situation

By choosing to turn yourself in, you regain some control over the situation. This proactive step demonstrates to the court that you are not a flight risk. In essence, you're conveying that you are ready to cooperate with the legal process, and this can work in your favor when you appear before a judge at your arraignment.

Timely Surrender Is Key

When you decide to surrender on a warrant, it's crucial to give the police sufficient time to process you thoroughly. This includes all the necessary steps, such as photographing, fingerprinting, and entering your information into the system. They will also need to transport you to court. Naturally, no one wants to spend any more time in custody than absolutely necessary.

Bonding Out At The Police Department

If you have the means to post bail, it's a good idea to bring a bondsman with you to the police department when you surrender. This way, once the formalities are completed, the bondsman can secure your release promptly. The entire process usually takes just a few hours, and you'll leave with a new court date in hand.

When Bonding Is Too High

In some cases, the bail amount might be too high to be posted at the police station. When this happens, you'll need to go to court to argue your bond. To minimize your time in custody, we recommend arriving at the police station extremely early in the morning, ideally around 6:00 a.m. This allows enough time for processing before the daily arraignments, typically held at 12:00 p.m.

The Consequences Of Delay

It cannot be stressed enough that timing is critical in this process. Arriving at the police station any later than the suggested time could result in spending a night in jail until the next day's arraignment at 12:00 p.m. We recently had a client who learned this the hard way when he didn't arrive on time and ended up spending an unnecessary night behind bars.

Contact Pattis & Paz Today

In conclusion, turning yourself in on a warrant, while not always an easy decision, can save you from embarrassing and inconvenient situations and potentially work in your favor when you face the judge. At Pattis & Paz, we're here to provide you with sound legal advice and guidance. Thanks for reading, and until next time, take care.