How Long Do I Have to Turn Myself In After a Warrant For My Arrest Is Issued?

If the courts have issued a warrant for your arrest in Texas, you may wonder how long you have to turn yourself in before facing more serious consequences.

Read on to learn key information about arrest warrants and the process of surrendering to authorities to reduce the criminal penalties in your case.

How Arrest Warrants Work in Texas

An arrest warrant is a court order that authorizes law enforcement to locate, arrest, and detain the person named in the warrant.

Judges issue warrants for many reasons, including:

• Failure to appear in court for a scheduled hearing.
• Violating the terms of probation or parole.
• Being charged with a new criminal offense.

Texas has two types of warrants: bench and arrest.

• Bench warrants are typically issued when someone fails to attend a court date or violates a court order.
• Arrest warrants, on the other hand, are issued when probable cause exists to believe that a person has committed a crime.

Once you have a warrant out for your arrest, it remains active until the police take you in for booking or the court recalls it.

Law enforcement can execute the warrant at any time, whether a day, a month, or even years have passed after the courts initially issued it.

What’s the Deadline to Surrender on an Arrest Warrant?

Now we get t to the burning question on everyone’s mind:

How long do I have to turn myself in after Texas issues a warrant for my arrest?

The straightforward answer is that no official grace period or time limit exists. Legally, the police can arrest you immediately once an active warrant exists.

However, you may have time before law enforcement actively seeks you out.

The length of this unofficial grace period can vary depending on factors like:

• The severity of the alleged offense.
• Whether you are considered a flight risk.
• The workload and priorities of the local police department.

But make no mistake – the warrant will remain outstanding indefinitely.

Even if years pass without an arrest, a warrant remains active. Law enforcement officers could take you into custody at any time, such as during a routine traffic stop or a background check.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Turn Yourself In

While it may be tempting to delay surrendering on a warrant, there are several compelling reasons to turn yourself in promptly:

You decide when to face the music

You can arrange to surrender on your own terms, giving you more control over the circumstances of your arrest. This submission can help you minimize disruption to your work and family life.

Demonstrate remorse

Promptly turning yourself in shows cooperation and responsibility to the court, which may work in your favor regarding bail and future court proceedings.

Private arrest

You may be able to avoid the embarrassment and stress of being arrested unexpectedly at your home or place of work.

Lenient penalties

In some cases, quickly addressing a warrant can make it easier to be released on your own recognizance or to have a more affordable bail amount set.

Move forward faster

The sooner you deal with the issue that led to the warrant, the sooner you can start working to resolve it and move forward.

How to Arrange Your Surrender on an Outstanding Texas Warrant

If you find out you have an active warrant, the first step should be consulting with a skilled criminal defense attorney.

Your seasoned criminal defense lawyer can contact the court or police on your behalf to arrange a date and time for your voluntary surrender. Sometimes, your attorney may even get the warrant lifted or recalled without the police arresting you.

If an arrest is unavoidable, having your criminal defense lawyer coordinate your surrender can help the process go smoother.

Your attorney can also argue for release on your own recognizance or have a reasonable bail amount set. If you do retain a criminal defense lawyer, always have him or her present during any police questioning to protect your legal rights.

What to Expect After Turning Yourself In

When you surrender on a warrant, the police will take you into custody and “book” you into the system.

This process typically involves:

• Have your mugshot and fingerprints taken.
• Surrendering your personal property, like your phone, wallet, and jewelry.
• Possibly being questioned by police (remember, you have the right to have an attorney present).

You will then have an initial court appearance, known as an arraignment, where the state will read the formal charges against you, and a judge will determine your bail or release conditions.

The specifics of what happens next depends on factors like:

• The severity of the charge (misdemeanor vs. felony).
• Your criminal history.
• Whether you are considered a flight risk.
• The strength of the evidence against you.

You may need to post bail or remain in custody while your case is pending if the courts do not release you on your own recognizance.
Your criminal defense attorney can advise you on your options and work to get you released as quickly as possible.

The Dangers of Not Surrendering on a Warrant

Choosing not to turn yourself in on an active warrant may seem like the path of least resistance, but it can lead to serious negative consequences.

Unexpected arrest

Being arrested by the police when you least expect it (i.e., at work or during family outings) can be highly stressful and disruptive to your life.

Additional charges

Prosecutors can enhance your criminal charges, like adding evading arrest or fugitive from justice penalties to your case.

You appear irresponsible

Making yourself look uncooperative and irresponsible in the eyes of the court can lead to harsher bail conditions and sentencing.

Lost benefits and job opportunities

Having a warrant show up on background checks can cost you job opportunities, housing, and other important life prospects.

The bottom line is that warrants do not go away alone. The most intelligent approach is to deal with them head-on with the help of an experienced Texas criminal defense lawyer.

Options for Clearing a Warrant Without Arrest

In certain situations, your attorney may get an arrest warrant cleared without you having to surrender to the police.

This procedure might involve:

• Appearing before a judge to explain the circumstances that led to the warrant and asking the court to withdraw it.
• Paying fines or fees associated with the warrant, such as for unpaid tickets or failure to appear in court.
• Showing up to your next required court date, which may result in a judge lifting the bench warrant.

The feasibility of these options will depend on the specific facts of your case and the court’s policies.

A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can assess whether clearing your warrant without arrest is possible.

Get Help From a Trusted Texas Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Discovering that you have an outstanding arrest warrant is a stressful and frightening experience for most people.

The most important thing you can do is seek the counsel of a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can guide you through resolving the warrant – whether that involves coordinating your surrender to authorities or exploring other options.

A seasoned defense attorney will protect your constitutional rights, secure your release from custody, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

With your freedom and future on the line, you owe it to yourself to consult with a proven law firm.

Don’t Face an Arrest Warrant Alone

Contact Whalen Law Office in Frisco, Texas, to discuss your warrant and the options available – and remember, time is of the essence.

Our criminal defense law firm offers free initial consultations to give you the answers and guidance you need without obligation.

You must take warrants seriously and address them promptly to avoid compounding a problematic situation.

Don’t wait until the police knock on your door – get the legal counsel you need to resolve your warrant the smart way.