Warrants

Arrest Warrant Defense

A warrant is an order by a judge that allows police to arrest a person onsite. In Massachusetts there are two types of warrants:

• Straight  or “arrest” warrants: when the police believe a crime has been committed and request a judge to issue a warrant for the suspect involved.
• Default warrants: when a person does not appear for court or fails to pay a fine.

If you have an active Massachusetts warrant, you may be arrested on site by the police. If arrested on a warrant, you must be brought into the court, which means that bail will not be set at the police station. While the warrant is active, your driver’s license will be suspended.  If you are stopped while driving, you will not only be arrested but also charged with driving with a suspended license.  Any benefits you receive from the government will cease while the warrant is active.

A Massachusetts warrant will affect you even if you live out of state. Eventually your driver’s license will either be suspended or become non-renewable. Benefits will cease, and you may be arrested and held in jail. Having a warrant can also affect entry into the country.  If you live out of state, whether or not you have to come back to Massachusetts to fight it depends upon the nature of the case. Many times the client does not have to appear and the case can be dismissed without the client present.

The Law Office of Michael P. Stapleton has helped many clients with Arrest Warrant Defense cases. Call (781) 821-0035.