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An arrest warrant is an official document that gives law enforcement the right to arrest any people named in it.
In order to obtain a warrant, a police officer typically submits an affidavit to a judge. Listed in the affidavit is factual information that establishes probable cause that a crime was committed and the person responsible for that crime is the person listed on the warrant. Affidavits need to be specific to one event and person — they can not be broad descriptions.
Understanding Arrest Warrants in Ohio
If a warrant is issued for your arrest, it remains active until it’s executed (meaning until you’re arrested). It’s important to note that if you have a warrant, you can be arrested at any time — during a routine traffic stop or while going to court for an unrelated matter.
What is Listed in a Warrant
In addition to the names of those under arrest, arrest warrants can also include:
- The crime for which an arrest has been authorized.
- It can also outline a time frame when an arrest can be made, like between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- The bail amount a defendant must post.
- If you have a warrant out for your arrest because you previously failed to appear in court, the warrant may state that the person arrested can not be released on bail. This is known as a bench warrant.
What You Should Never Do
Learning you have a warrant out for your arrest can be intimidating. However, there are a few very important things you should never do:
- Flee the state and intentionally evade a warrant because you’re worried about going to jail.
- Ignore an arrest warrant, assuming it will go away once enough time passes
- Panic and do something irrational.
The best possible course of action when you have a warrant issue is to face it head-on. The warrant defense attorneys at The Meranda Law Firm LTDhave more than 15 years of experience and can help you seek an expedient resolution, as well as ensure that you are well-advised of your legal rights.