Warrants

No one can run forever. If you have a warrant, or think you might have one, we will find out.

The Jacksonville criminal attorney at The Mussallem Law Firm P.A. knows what to do when our clients have warrants out for their arrest. If there is a warrant, chances are:

• The judge ruled there is probable cause you committed a crime.
• You missed a court date.

Judges issue warrants, giving the police the power to make an arrest or search or seize property. Judges can also issue what’s called a capias, or a “bench warrant” directing police to take someone into custody. Police officers or Assistant State Attorneys will approach a judge and request that a warrant or capias be issued to arrest someone.

They must establish probable cause that a crime has been committed in an Affidavit for Arrest Warrant. The affidavit is a sworn narrative stating the investigation and facts known at the time. Most affidavits include the police officer’s or detective’s name, current position and experience. It then states the suspect’s identifying information, such as name, address, height, weight, eye color, etc. Then there is a description of the “crime” from the officer’s perspective. No one else has input on these affidavits, just the police. This one-sided perspective most often leads to these arrest warrants being signed. At that point, the police can come and arrest you, at any time and place, including at your job.

But having a warrant issued does not mean you’re guilty of anything. We can also contest the charge that led to the warrant being issued in the first place. Let our Jacksonville Warrant Attorney help with your outstanding warrant or capias. Often times, our team is able to set a court date to avoid the arrest. People that come to handle their warrants without the police having to run them down often fare better in front of a judge, so let our Jacksonville Criminal Attorney work for you.