Finding out you might have a warrant is stressful, but how you handle the next few days matters a lot. The worst option is usually to ignore it. The best is to let a lawyer find out what it’s for and resolve it on your terms.
Types of warrants
- Arrest warrant: issued when a prosecutor files charges and a judge or magistrate finds probable cause. It authorizes police to arrest you on a new charge.
- Bench warrant: issued by a judge, usually because someone missed a court date, didn’t pay fines or violated probation. Probation violations are a common cause.
How to find out if you have a warrant
- Call the court that handled your case, or the police department in the city where the incident happened.
- Check the court’s online case lookup, if it has one, for missed dates or new charges.
- Or have a lawyer check for you. This avoids calling a police department yourself and lets us start planning immediately.
What to do if you have a warrant
- Don’t ignore it. Warrants generally don’t go away on their own, and being arrested unexpectedly at work, at home or at a traffic stop is much worse than resolving it on your schedule.
- Don’t talk to police about the case. If contacted, be polite and say you want to speak with a lawyer.
- Call a lawyer. We confirm the warrant, find out what it’s for and contact the court.
- Arrange a walk-in arraignment. In many cases, we can schedule a time for you to appear voluntarily, with your lawyer, which often means you can be arraigned and released the same day.
- Bring proof of responsibility. Proof of employment, treatment or the reason you missed court can help persuade the judge to set a reasonable bond.
Missed a traffic court date? Failing to appear on a traffic case can also lead to a suspended driver’s license. Driving on a suspended license is a separate crime, so resolve it before it snowballs.
Frequently asked questions
Do warrants expire in Michigan?
No. A warrant generally stays active until it’s resolved, whether that takes days or years. It can surface at a traffic stop, at the airport, during a background check or when you renew your license.
Will I go to jail if I turn myself in?
Not necessarily. When a lawyer arranges for you to turn yourself in, it’s often possible to be arraigned and released the same day, especially for misdemeanors and failure-to-appear warrants. Handling it this way usually looks much better to the judge than being arrested.
Can a lawyer find out if I have a warrant?
Yes. We can check with the court and the police agency, confirm what the warrant is for and arrange the best way to resolve it, often without you having to walk into a police station unprepared.