Category Archives: Arrest Warrants

What Happens if I Do Not Show Up For My Court Date?

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When it comes to facing criminal charges, you will, without a doubt, have to go to court. Although most court hearings, such as arraignments, can be handled by your lawyer without your presence, there are other court dates that do mandate your appearance. And forgetting or neglecting to show up for such court dates is not like missing a doctor’s appointment.

Continue reading to learn more about criminal court appearances, and what to expect if you do not show up for yours.

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514
Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

Criminal court dates are mandatory. When a person is facing criminal charges, or is involved in a criminal proceeding, they are legally obligated to show up for all court hearings. Missing a court date is referred to as a “failure to appear” or “FTA”, and it is a crime punishable by law. A person will face serious criminal charges in addition to the ones they were already charged with prior to missing their court date.

Without the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, those charged with FTA will likely be sentenced to the maximum penalties decreed by their state. Depending on where they live and their criminal history, these penalties will vary. Continue reading to learn more about FTAs and what to expect if you are facing a similar charge in your town.

Bench Warrants

If a person misses a mandatory court hearing, they will be issued a bench warrant. This is a type of arrest warrant that demands a person’s presence on the judge’s bench. When a person has a bench warrant, they can be arrested and taken into custody at any time, whether during a routine traffic stop or at their front door. They can post bail and be released from police custody in most cases, but they will have to sit in jail for at least a few hours.

A person must face the judge once again, not only for their past matters, but for new criminal charges as a result of missing their court date. That means a separate set of penalties on top of the ones they were facing with their original charges. However, the severity of penalties for an FTA generally depends on the seriousness of the original crime a person was charged with. Penalties also vary by state. Look below for an example of misdemeanor crimes and felony crimes.

Here in Indiana…

Misdemeanor Crimes – A Failure to Appear charge will be penalized as a Class A Misdemeanor if the original crime was a misdemeanor. Class A Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 in fines.

Felony Crimes – FTAs charges are penalized as Level 6 Felonies if the original criminal charge was a felony offense. Level 6 felonies are punishable by 6 months to 3 years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines. Sometimes they can be reduced to Class A Misdemeanors for first-time offenders.

Indiana Criminal Defense Law Firm

Call 317-636-7514 to schedule a consultation with aggressive criminal defense attorney, David E. Lewis. He will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms after being charged with invasion of privacy in Indianapolis. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514
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Criminal Defense Tips for Being Interviewed as a Suspect

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If you are suspected of being involved in a crime, and as a result, must cooperate with a detective interview, it is gravely important to know how to protect yourself from self-incrimination and more. Continue reading to learn some vital criminal defense tips you need to know before being interrogated or interviewed as a potential suspect in a crime.

Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514
Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

Police Gimmicks and Ploys

When a detective asks a person to voluntarily come by the station to answer a few questions regarding a criminal case, they actually have a hidden agenda that is not made evident to the person being asked to come in. For one, law enforcement officials are not legally obligated to tell you that you are a suspect in a criminal investigation.

In fact, one of the oldest tricks in the book is to address you initially as a potential witness, and act very polite and friendly to lower your guard and make you feel comfortable giving up wanted information. Another part of this ploy is that if you come into the station voluntarily, you are not in custody. This means law enforcement does not have to read you your Miranda Rights, which remind you of your right to remain silent and your right to a lawyer.

And the gimmicks do not stop there. People often feel like they can handle a police interrogation, and feel confident that they have no valid evidence against them. But this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a possible suspect in a criminal investigation. This is because police can make up anything they want to get a person to say things that didn’t really happen.

It is common for detectives to tell suspects that they have video surveillance of them committing the crime, or that they found their DNA all over the scene of the crime. They will say anything they have to in order to get a suspect to admit or give up information. It is also common for suspects to give false confession after hours of endless interrogation.

Always Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are ever asked to voluntarily come into a police station for questioning, or provide a statement regarding a criminal matter, remain silent. And then contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. They can evaluate your situation and determine if it’s best for you to give a statement or remain silent. They will protect your rights and preserve your freedom to their best ability.

Aggressive Criminal Defense in Indiana

Contact David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law, at 317-636-7514 to start building a strong and impactful defense against your criminal charges so that you have a chance at avoiding the maximum penalties for your suspected crimes. Our Indianapolis criminal defense law firm offers free initial consultations, so there is no out-of-pocket obligations to you. Get started protecting your future, today.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense 317-636-7514
Schedule a Free Consultation Today!

The Difference Between Arrest Warrants and Bench Warrants

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When the state has valid evidence that a person has committed a crime, a warrant will be issued for their arrest. In other circumstances, a person may be issued a warrant for something other than their arrest, such as a bench warrant, which is still equally important and pressing.

Continue reading to learn the difference between arrest warrants and bench warrants, including what you need to do as a recipient of one.

Indianapolis Criminal Defense Law Firm 317-636-7514

Indiana Arrest Warrant Lawyer 317-636-7514


After a warrant is issues, the local police are notified, the Department of Motor Vehicles is alerted, and online databases are updated to inform the public of the notice. In terms of arrest warrants, you need to turn yourself in to authorities at the local police station as soon as possible; otherwise, you are considered a fugitive of the law. Bench warrants do not require jail time, but they do require a certain level of action.

Arrest Warrants

A person with a warrant out for their arrest can expect to live with a great deal of paranoia. This is because they can be picked up by the police and arrested on the spot at any place. They can be arrested at work, at home, in the gym, and anywhere else they might be noticed or discovered. Having a warrant is a serious, but resolvable situation. A person needs to contact an Indiana criminal defense lawyer and turn themselves into law enforcement before they get in more legal trouble.

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is another term used for arrest warrant. Specifically, a bench warrant is intended to flag someone for violation, and call them to the judge’s “bench” for sentencing. They are generally issued when a person fails a court ordered drug test, skips a probation meeting, misses a court date, fails to pay a speeding ticket, or commits other similar court violations and minor infractions. Same as any other warrant, it is advised to turn yourself in before your legal situation escalates into something bigger.

Do You Have Questions About Your Warrant?

Marijuana Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Marijuana Criminal Defense Lawyer 317-636-7514

Call Attorney David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss the best course of action for your warrant with a seasoned Indianapolis criminal defense attorney you can trust. We work around the clock to ensure your rights are protected and your freedoms are preserved. You can avoid the maximum penalties for your charges with our aggressive legal representation!