Orlando can be a very scary place to get in trouble with the law. Whether you are being cited for a civil or criminal charge, many individuals feel like a charge is as good as a conviction in Orlando. That does not need to be the case and we hope that if you are ever in this unfortunate scenario, you remember to give us a call.
One question many laypeople often ask attorneys has to do with bench warrants. Whether you were recently arrested as a result of a bench warrant issued in your name or just heard the term referenced in pop culture, here’s a look at Orlando bench warrants and what they mean in a criminal case. A bench warrant authorizes the on-site arrest of the individual listed in it. Orlando bench warrants are issued by a judge when the individual violates a court rule. An Orlando bench warrant is treated like any other arrest warrant, with the primary purpose of bringing the individual listed before the court. In these scenarios, the individual will now be responsible for answering for their original charges and will also be asked to explain why he or she acted in a manner than necessitated the issuance of a bench warrant.
Here’s a look at some of the reasons an Orlando judge may issue a bench warrant:
- Probation Violation: Violating the terms of your probation will likely result in the judge issuing a bench warrant to bring you into court and explain the violation. Your probation officer will alert the judge of your violation and you may face additional punishments.
- Failure to Appear: Miss a court appearance and end up in handcuffs. Ok, this does not always happen but it certainly can. Whether you forgot about your court date, had an emergency come up or knew and decided not to show up, Orlando judges do not enjoy being stood up. This is why the court stresses proper service so much—judges do not want to waste their time with cases that
- Failure to Appear on Subpoena: If you have been subpoenaed to provide testimony in a case then you are given notice of the location and time for your testimony. Here’s the catch—you actually have to show up. If you do not, then even if the testimony is something you have no interest in giving, the judge in the case can issue a bench warrant for your arrest.
In many cases, Orlando police will come to your home or place of work and arrest you on the spot which can turn into an embarrassing arrest.
The attorneys at Finnenbloom & Haenel P.A. help clients deal with bench warrant issues all the time. Our lawyers can accompany you to court and explain your situation to the judge. Having an attorney on your side will show the judge that you are serious about fixing the situation. Give us a call today for a free consultation…we look forward to hearing from you!
