ekatherine.stamatis@lawrank.com | December 28, 2021 | Criminal Defense
What Happens If You Get an Out of State Warrant for Arrest in Pennsylvania ?
Having a warrant issued against you in Pennsylvania is a serious matter. You should seek legal counsel right away. Some people fail to meet with an attorney despite having outstanding warrants. This is especially common when the warrant was issued in another state. They may even believe they will escape legal consequences by avoiding that state.
If you have an out-of-state warrant for arrest, you should see a lawyer immediately. Legal representation could play a critical role in your case’s outcome.
Understanding Out of State Arrest Warrants in Pennsylvania
A warrant permits law enforcement to arrest you and bring you into custody on criminal charges. There are two main types of out-of-state arrest warrants: warrants for felonies and warrants for misdemeanors.
Out-of-State Warrant for a Felony
An out-of-state warrant for a felony (such as rape or murder) is particularly serious. In many cases, authorities in the state issuing the warrant won’t sit idly by and hope that law enforcement manages to catch you in another state. Instead, they will actively coordinate with law enforcement in your state to ensure that you are arrested. When you are, you will be extradited to the state where the warrant was issued.
In other words, you can’t just “lay low” and hope that you’re able to avoid the police for the rest of your life. Meet with a lawyer right away to avoid exacerbating an already serious issue.
Out of State Warrant for Arrest for a Misdemeanor
Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies. The penalties you face for a misdemeanor are less harsh than those for a felony.
That’s not to say that you have nothing to worry about if you have an out-of-state warrant for a misdemeanor. It simply means the odds that you will be extradited to another state after arrest are lower. Instead of being extradited, you may have to pay a fine or serve jail time in your state.
Bench Warrants
A judge may issue a bench warrant when you fail to appear in court pursuant to a court order. Unlike the above examples, which only apply to criminal cases, a bench warrant can also be issued in a civil case.
The penalties for a bench warrant can vary. Sometimes, the penalty for a bench warrant is a fine or loss of driving privileges. Other times, it can lead to jail time.
This is one of the many reasons it’s important to appear in court when you have been ordered to do so. Don’t allow the problem to get worse. Consult with an attorney right away if a bench warrant has been issued against you.
How to Find Out if You Have an Out of State Warrant for Arrest
You need to understand that there’s no expiration date on arrest warrants. Unless you turn yourself in and resolve the matter (or you’re caught and forced to resolve it), the warrant will remain valid until you die. In other words, this is not the type of problem that will simply go away if you ignore it.
There are several ways you can learn if you have an out of state warrant for arrest. You could check online to see if the county where the warrant was issued allows you to search its records. If this isn’t an option, an attorney can help you. Their assistance will also give you a better chance of avoiding serious legal trouble.
Contact Our Criminal Defense Law Firm in West Chester, PA
If you are facing criminal charges and need legal help, contact the West Chester, PA criminal defense lawyers at DiCindioLaw, LLC to schedule a free initial consultation.
DiCindio Law, LLC
29 S Walnut St
West Chester, PA 19382
(610) 430-3535
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