Bench Warrants
Resolving Bench Warrants In Pennsylvania
If you have been arrested in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania area you will be required to appear at various court hearings while the case is pending. If you fail to appear at a hearing, or fail to comply with conditions of bail, a bench warrant may issue for your arrest.
Once a bench warrant is issued, the person’s name is entered into a database that police departments all over the country can access. if that person has any police interaction whatsoever, or any interaction with government authorities such as airport personnel or sheriff deputies, that person will likely be arrested and immediately detained. Being arrested on a bench warrant is a negative situation because you can be detained in jail until Montgomery County, PA authorities arrange for your transportation (by either picking you up or having a “prison bus” transport you).
What To Do If You Have An Active Bench Warrant
If you have an active bench warrant for your arrest you should begin resolving the issue by consulting with a criminal defense attorney who can handle bench warrant resolution. It is a mistake to ignore active bench warrants because it is much more difficult to handle a bench warrant after it has been served (meaning, when you are in jail).
I have handled many cases where I negotiated terms of a surrender. Frequently, if a person is prepared to voluntarily surrender with any attorney, the District Attorney’s Office will agree to recommend that the judge lift the bench warrant and impose the same bail. In such a situation, the bench warrant can be resolved without you having to spend any time in prison. And, this can start the process of trying to resolve the overall case in a positive way.
Please feel free to contact the Montgomery County, PA Law Office of Erik Petersen by clicking here to discuss your bench warrant situation.
Reasons Why Bench Warrants Are Issued In Pennsylvania
You may have a bench warrant issued for your arrest for any of the following in Montgomery County, PA:
- Neglect or fail to make a scheduled court or sentencing appearance
- Neglect or fail to pay fines, fees or child support payments
- Violate a court order such as failing to perform community service
Penalties You Face If Your Are Arrested For Bench Warrants
If you have an active bench warrant or bench warrants and are stopped by police for any reason (for example if you are pulled over in a routine traffic stop) or have contact with government personnel (such as at the airport), you will likely be taken into custody immediately. You may be held without bail until you are transported to the Montgomery County, PA courthouse for a hearing. Naturally, if the District Attorney’s Office and the judge conclude that you purposely failed to appear for court or committed some other violation, the penalties and consequences may be more severe.
Your previous criminal history, your record since the initial arrest and other factors will determine what options you have regarding having your bench warrant, or bench warrants, lifted and any possible increase in bail.
It is much easier to address the problems associated with an active bench warrant before you are in custody. This is why it makes sense to contact a bench warrant criminal defense attorney sooner rather then later.
Lower Merion Criminal Lawyer Handling Bench Warrants
I am Norristown, Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorney Erik Petersen and I can help you proactively resolve your bench warrant situation. I will use my experience as a former prosecutor, now practicing criminal defense law, to fight for your rights and attempt to limit or minimize the consequences of your pending bench warrant. Contact Montgomery County PA Criminal Defense/ DUI Lawyer Erik Petersen by email here.
I proudly defend those facing bench warrants & those accused of crimes, drug charges, DUI cases, property crimes, violent crimes, weapons charges and sex offenses throughout Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. This includes Abington, Ambler, Blue Bell, Conshohocken, Haverford, Lansdale, Cheltenham Township, Hatboro, Hatfield, Jenkintown, Pottstown, Upper Merion Township, Upper Dublin Township, Lower Providence Township, Upper Moreland Township and Horsham Township.