An arrest warrant is an order of the court to take someone into custody.

The warrant may have been issued by a judge for failure to show up in court for an arraignment, pre-trial conference, probation surrender or trial, after having been notified at a prior court date or by a summons, or for failure to make a court ordered payment on time for restitution, court costs, probation or other fee.

A warrant could otherwise have been issued by a Clerk Magistrate based on a finding of probable cause from an application for a criminal complaint by the police.

The Consequences of an Outstanding Warrant

Arrest warrants can be issued in both criminal and civil cases. Whatever the reason the warrant was issued, you are in danger of being arrested at home, work or even if your car is stopped for a minor motor vehicle infraction. You may receive notification in the mail or the police may just show up at your door. Or, you may try to renew your license and realize that you have lost your right to drive in Massachusetts because of a warrant or you may be denied your social security or other benefits.

Perhaps the warrant stemmed from some long-forgotten incident 20 years ago, an unpaid court fee or a summons you never knew about. No matter what the reason the warrant was issued, it can turn your life upside down. You might be arrested at work in front of your boss or other employees, or at home in front of your wife and kids, or following a routine traffic stop. Or you may also be denied employment, or fired from your job.

What you should do if there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest?

Above all, do not wait until you are arrested at work, in public, or in front of your family. As soon as you find out there is a warrant for your arrest, pick up the phone and call The Law Offices of Elliot Savitz & Scott Bradley. We can arrange for you to remove the warrant and at the same time, even close out the case or probation violation that triggered it.

If you are out of the state or the country, we may be able to go into court without you, file a motion to advance your case, waive your appearance, remove the default, recall the warrant and even dismiss the case that created the warrant in the first place.

Alternatively, if you did not know about the warrant or were afraid to act, and have already been arrested, the experienced attorneys at The Law Offices of Elliot Savitz & Scott Bradley can help resolve your case and quickly get you back with your family and to work.