Warrants in the Santa Clarita Valley

Every day, hundreds of people fail to appear in courts throughout Los Angeles County. Santa Clarita Court is not immune to this trend. While the criminal court judges may issue countless warrants on a daily basis, waiting for an inevitable arrest is not an effective strategy if you have a warrant.

As a bench warrant attorney, as well as former prosecutor, I have found that there are many proactive strategies which may effectively resolve a warrant case. The most important consideration is to obtain representation in court from a bench warrant attorney who is willing to promptly develop all available options for your case.

In my bench warrant law practice, I first determine why a client failed to appear in court. Certain issues, such as missing a court date by mistake, are oftentimes explainable to the judge. While missing a court date is usually not a legal excuse, many judges will give a person on probation a second chance to succeed. More difficult issues relate to failing to complete court-ordered terms, such as Cal Trans, programs, and failing to pay fines. These scenarios require a more thorough understanding of the local judges and courtrooms, as well as of the client's explanation. Even with these types of problems, courts are often inclined to give seconds chances, especially when an attorney is proactively involved in bringing a solution to the table.

In cases where a defendant never goes to court after being ordered to do so, I would want to develop any reasonably possible solutions to help my client, as well as the court, come to a positive outcome in the case.

In any event, defendants who truly commit to productive solutions are oftentimes given second (even third) chances to succeed. Judges are acutely aware of the limited resources available to them, presently, (such as limited jail space for misdemeanor defendants), and would certainly prefer to see more success stories in court. Thus, I really believe that now is an extremely unusual opportunity for people with warrants to obtain legal representation and promptly come to court to resolve their warrants.