Why Did I Get an Arrest Warrant Notice in the Mail?

If you get a notice in the mail warning of your arrest, don’t panic and talk to an attorney. Courts can issue bench warrants, which are unrelated to criminal charges. Bench warrants are for non-compliance or failure to comply with court rules. Even if you aren’t charged with a crime, you can face an arrest for having a bench warrant.

Talk to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can to clear up the warrant. If you ignore the notice, the police could arrest you during a traffic stop or even show up at your house. Bench warrant laws and processes can vary by state. Contact a local criminal defense attorney for legal advice on how to handle a warrant in the mail.

What Is a Bench Warrant?

A bench warrant is a warrant issued by a judge for failure to comply with court orders. There are various reasons why a court can issue a warrant, including:

• Failure to appear in court
• Ignoring a subpoena
• Unpaid traffic fines
• Unpaid court fees
• Contempt of court
• Failure to comply with court orders
• Ignoring jury duty notices

For most bench warrants, the police will not actively track you down to arrest you. However, if the police encounter you during a traffic stop, emergency call, or other run-in with law enforcement, they can arrest you and book you into jail until you appear before the judge.

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Arrest Warrant Roundup in Texas

Every February in Texas, more than 300 law enforcement agencies and local courts participate in the Great Texas Warrant Roundup. This is an annual event when police officers threaten to jail citizens with unpaid fines or tickets in an effort to collect on them.

The letter is the first official warning and starts a two-week grace period before March, during which officials encourage people with outstanding warrants to come forward and settle their business without additional penalties or fear of arrest.

“In other words,” says Benson Varghese, a criminal defense attorney at Varghese Summersett in Fort Worth, “people who take care of their case during this time will not wind up in handcuffs, which is a big incentive for people who are afraid of being arrested at school or work. Most people targeted during the roundup have warrants for unpaid traffic tickets or failing to appear in municipal court.”

Many can’t afford to pay their citation in full, so they don’t pay at all, says Varghese. “Others simply forget about the citation and miss their court date. Some don’t understand how to take care of their ticket, so they do nothing. Most of these individuals are not hardened criminals. They’re people who, for whatever reason, failed to take care of a ticket.”

Other Class C misdemeanors, such as public intoxication and petty theft, are common crimes for which you may receive a letter. Even if the occurrence happened in a different city or county, law enforcement officials can still find and arrest you.

Don’t Panic If You Receive a Warrant in the Mail

“Do not run down to the municipal courthouse or go online and pay the fine during the amnesty period without talking to an attorney first,” warns Varghese. “Paying the fine will result in a permanent conviction on your record, and you could face expensive surcharges, higher insurance rates, or have your driver’s license suspended.”

“Having a warrant out for your arrest for an unresolved citation is a very nerve-racking way to live. People are often afraid to try to resolve it after the fact because they think they will be arrested. But it’s important not to pay the ticket or plead guilty without talking to an attorney first.”

Beware of Arrest Warrant Scam

Calling someone up or sending a text message threatening arrest is a common scam. Scammers make the calls, threatening arrest unless the individual sends money to pay for their fine. Scammers can also send messages by phone, email, or social media to target victims.

The police will not call you up to threaten you with an arrest or make you pay a fine over the phone. A sign that you are talking to scammers includes asking for payment by gift cards, cryptocurrency, or credit cards. They generally threaten arrest or say local law enforcement officers are on their way unless they get immediate payment.

Find Legal Help for a Warrant

If you have received a warrant notice in your mailbox, talk to an experienced criminal defense attorney or law firm, who may offer legal advice. They can come up with a plan of action and negotiate with the prosecutor to keep your criminal record clean without a court appearance.

If you owe money for tickets or parking violations, your attorney can negotiate a payment plan to help you avoid an arrest.