While a warrant does not prove guilt, it does mean that a judge has authorized law enforcement action based on a legal procedure.
In Illinois, a criminal warrant can be issued for several reasons. The most common include:
- Being charged with a crime, where there is probable cause to believe a person committed a criminal offense and has not already been arrested.
- Missing a court date or failure to appear for a required court hearing.
- Violating probation conditions.
- Violating pretrial release or bond conditions.
- Failing to comply with court orders.
- After a criminal investigation leads to probable cause, police present evidence to a judge.
Consequences of an Outstanding Criminal Warrant in Illinois
You will be extremely vulnerable if you have an outstanding warrant in Illinois. The main consequence is that you can be arrested at any time. Therefore, if law enforcement encounters you during a traffic stop, after police contact, at a courthouse, or through their active efforts to locate you, then you can expect an arrest to follow. This is because a warrant will generally remain active until it is resolved by the court. They do not expire with the passage of time.
Having a warrant, especially one that is outstanding, can be scary. Not knowing what to expect or how to handle such a situation can make you feel even worse. Here, a lawyer can be very helpful, especially if you contact one before you are in a situation where you interact with law enforcement and are arrested.
Whether you know or suspect you have a warrant, it is critical to address it proactively to avoid an arrest. A Chicago criminal defense lawyer at Glasgow and Olsson can do many things to assist you.
- A lawyer can confirm if you have an active warrant, what type you may have, which Illinois court issued it, whether a bond has been set, and what the allegations against you are.
- A lawyer can file a motion to quash or recall the warrant. What this means is that it may be possible to request that a warrant be canceled and a new court date issued if you have a bench warrant.
- A lawyer can help you avoid being arrested unexpectedly by arranging a voluntary court appearance or surrender.
- A lawyer can advocate on your behalf for release on recognizance, lower bail, or other favorable conditions.
- A lawyer can review your case and explain your risks and options depending on the type of warrant you have and your criminal history, or lack thereof.
- A lawyer can not only help you resolve your warrant but also defend you against the criminal allegations that led to the warrant.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
For more information on handling an outstanding warrant, please speak with our Schaumburg criminal defense attorneys at Glasgow & Olsson today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.
Our law firm is widely recognized as a leading authority in criminal law. For this reason, Attorney Thomas T. Glasgow is a trusted legal voice who is regularly invited to appear on major networks, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
When your rights and freedoms are on the line, having an attorney on your side with an excellent reputation and unimpeachable experience matters.