Do I Call a Bail Bondsman or a Lawyer First?

A bail bondsman and a lawyer play two separate roles when it comes to assisting defendants in a criminal case. After your loved one is arrested, or after finding out that you have a warrant out for your own arrest, you might be torn between calling a bail bond company first, or a criminal lawyer. Although both are important, one should come before the other.

Continue reading to learn the order of events that should take place after becoming aware of an arrest warrant, or after your friend or loved one is arrested and taken to jail.

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

After the Arrest of Another

Let’s start with the arrest of a loved one, whether that be a relative, friend, partner, or spouse. If they are arrested, and you are appointed the duty of managing the situation, your first step is to learn more about their arrest. To do this, you would need to contact the local county jail they are being detained in, and ask the clerk for their information. They should be able to tell you the defendant’s charges, how much the bail has been set for, your options for posting bail, and the jail address and contact information.

However, if the person has just been arrested, it may take a few hours to get this information into the jail database. In this case, it is best to wait an hour or two, and then contact a local bail bond company in the county of the jail. If you are not keen on the particular county of arrest, still contact any local bail bondsman, and they should be able to find all the information you need to begin the bail process for your loved one.

Discovering a Warrant for Your Arrest

When it comes to learning of your own arrest warrant, your first step would be to contact a lawyer, rather than a bail bondsman. A criminal defense lawyer can prearrange a surrender that best accommodates a defendant and their respective families. Otherwise, surrendering to an arrest warrant alone can lead to a longer stint in county holding, and a wider range of inconveniences, such as missing work, losing wages, inability to pay bills, and more.

Where to Find Reputable Indianapolis Criminal Defense You Can Trust

Call the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with aggressive Indiana criminal defense lawyer who will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your Indiana criminal charges.

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

The Best Advice on Managing an Arrest Warrant

Fear, anxiety, and paranoia are just a few emotions experienced by a person with a warrant out for their arrest. A warrant means jail time, at any time. Being stopped by a police officer or government official can put you in a situation where your warrant can be easily discovered. This could be while trying to renew your drivers’ license at the BMV, or being stopped for a routine traffic ticket on the road.

Once a warrant is discovered, there are no negotiations; you are instantly arrested and taken to jail. So, when there is a warrant out for your arrest, relieve yourself of all the fear, stress, and potential legal repercussions by simply preparing yourself for a surrender. First, you must confirm whether or not there is an active warrant in your name.

Continue reading to learn how you can look up an arrest warrant for yourself, and which option is the best.

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

Legal Preparation is the Key to a Successful Surrender

For someone who is not rightfully prepared to turn themselves into the jail, being taken into custody can result in undesirable situations. For instance, they can jeopardize their job by missing work without notice because they did not have a chance to discuss it with the boss and set aside days off work to handle the warrant. They will also miss out on an opportunity to retain legal representation to manage their surrender, bail, and defense. When a person is arrested unexpectedly, there is no telling when they will be released from jail. 

When you are prepared to surrender to an arrest warrant, in most cases, it only takes a few hours from start to finish. Of course, this result is greatly influenced the type of lawyer representing your surrender and defense. Those with outstanding warrants for their arrests find it easier in the long run to prepare to turn themselves in rather than risk being caught at an unexpected time.

So, take their advice if you are facing one yourself. Surrendering to an arrest warrant is not convenient, but it avoids many dilemmas and headaches. Children are accounted for, work time is re-arranged with the permission of your boss, and bail is already set up. This will result in a quick and speedy bail process. 

 How to Find Out if You Have an Outstanding Warrant

There are several safe and reliable ways to figure out if there is a warrant out for your arrest. One option is to call the police station, directly. They can look up your information over the phone and determine whether or not there is an active warrant under your name. If you know the particular county that your warrant was issued from, call that police station. 

Another option is to call the courthouse. Like the police, they too will have information on your case, as well as instructions on how to turn yourself in. It may be possible in your area to check online if you have a warrant, but these are not recommended nor verified resources.

The best strategy for managing an arrest warrant is to contact a licensed Indianapolis criminal defense lawyer. They can coordinate your surrender, or perhaps even dismiss it altogether. From there, they can build you an impactful defense to fight your criminal charges.

Where to Get Trusted Criminal Defense in Indiana

Call the Law Office of David E. Lewis at 317-636-7514 to schedule a free initial consultation with aggressive Indiana criminal defense lawyer who will stop at nothing to protect your rights and preserve your freedoms. With decades of hands-on experience, you can trust Attorney David E. Lewis to build you a strong and impactful defense against your Indiana criminal charges.

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