Turning Myself In on a Warrant in Connecticut
Finding out there is a warrant for your arrest is frightening. You get a call from the police department saying you have a warrant for your arrest, and you probably immediately have many questions like- “what am I being charged with?” ,“how am I going to get out?”, “will I be spending days in jail?”
The reality is that turning yourself in on a warrant in Connecticut is often the best and safest option, when does with some planning ahead. Turning yourself in, rather than waiting for police to inevitably find you and arrest you, can have a major impact on your case.
Here’s what you should know if you have a warrant for your arrest.
What Does It Mean to Have a Warrant in Connecticut?
A warrant means a judge has authorized the police to arrest you. In most situations, it means there was an incident, the police investigated it and wrote an affidavit, a judge reviewed that affidavit, and the judge signed off that there is probable cause for the arrest. However, a judge can authorize an arrest in several situations, including:
missing a court date
failing to comply with court orders or conditions of release
new charges
probation-related issues
Once a warrant exists, police can arrest you at any time, including during a traffic stop, at work, or even at your home.
Why Turning Yourself In Is Often Better Than Waiting
Waiting for police to find you usually makes things worse.
Turning yourself in can:
reduce the risk of being arrested in public and unexpectedly
allow your attorney to communicate with police and the court in advance
increase the likelihood of release the same day
demonstrates to the court responsibility and cooperation
Judges and prosecutors do take notice of the difference between someone you surrenders themself voluntarily and someone arrested on the street or not of their own volition.
Should You Talk to a Lawyer First
Yes, you should talk to an attorney as soon as you receive any sign that you’re being investigated by police. Signs could include being involved in an incident where police were called or getting a call from police, wanting to speak with you.
An attorney can provide you with several things at this stage:
confirm the warrant exists and what it is for
find out what the bond amount is
coordinate a planned surrender
sometimes appear in court on your behalf
plan to attend the arraignment
Turning yourself in without information can expose you to unnecessary time in custody.
What Happens When You Turn Yourself In
While every case is different, the process typically includes:
Arriving at the police department, where the warrant is out of
Being taken into custody
Fingerprinting and processing
Bond review or court appearance
Release or brief holding until court
Many people are released the same day, especially for non-violent charges. However, it is possible the bond amount is high, and you may be faced with the possibility of being unable to pay it. In these situations, planning ahead and reaching out to a bail bondsmen could be critical.
Will You Have to Post Bond?
In most situations, yes, you will need to post a bond to be released. However, in some situations, you may be released on a promise to appear, which means, you don’t pay anything unless you don’t appear for your court date. Bond depends on:
the charge or charges
criminal history
why the warrant was issued
whether you turn yourself in voluntarily
Bond may be:
promise to appear
non-financial conditions like a protective order
financial bond
Voluntary surrender can potentially improve bond outcomes.
What to Bring and Not Bring With You
When turning yourself in, you will need to bring a valid ID with you. It is also advised to bring contact information for someone you can call, and necessary medications.
Do not ever bring weapons, drugs or alcohol, or large amounts of cash with you.
Dress conservatively and plan for several hours, just in case the booking and processing takes longer.
Things to be Cautious About
If you have a warrant for your arrest- don’t wait! You will only be prolonging the inevitable arrest, potentially making the situation worse for yourself, and living on edge, with the thought of being arrested at any time. You should not hope that a warrant will just go away.
It is important to note that you cannot explain your side of the story to police, in hopes that it will make the warrant go away. At this stage, a judge has already signed for your arrest and there is no way to make it go away, unless you turn yourself in and get your day in court.
Remember, anything you say can be used against you later, so it is best to be booked and process and politely decline making a statement to the police.
If you are told there is a warrant for your arrest, police do not need to give you advance notice, they can arrest you at any time. This means that you could be arrested in front of your children, family, or coworkers. It is best to control the arrest yourself by voluntarily surrendering at the police station.
If you believe you are under investigation or have a warrant for your arrest, contact Attorney Shouse today for a free consultation.
