Miami Arrest Warrant Lawyer
You cannot legally be arrested if law enforcement does not have either:
- Probable cause to believe you committed a criminal offense; or
- A valid arrest warrant.
An arrest warrant is a document issued by a judge that grants law enforcement the right to arrest an individual. In order to be valid, an arrest warrant must contain an adequate showing of probable cause that the individual committed a criminal offense. This is done by examining an affidavit submitted to the court by law enforcement. An arrest warrant may include more specific information as well, such as a window of time during which the individual named may be arrested and whether the individual may post bail to leave police custody after arrest and if so, the amount of bail he or she must pay. Our team of experienced Miami arrest warrant lawyers can explain the concept of arrest warrants and more specific details about yours to you in greater detail.
In the absence of probable cause to arrest an individual without a warrant, a valid arrest warrant is what separates a legal arrest from an illegal one.
Posting Bail After Being Arrested
If your arrest warrant includes a bail amount, you may pay this amount to the court in exchange for the privilege of leaving jail and remaining in your home until your court date. But if you post bail, you are required to appear in court and if you do not appear in court when required, a bench warrant may be filed to have law enforcement arrest you again.
Bail may be paid through cash or check or through a bond, known as a bail bond, which is a guaranteed payment for the full bail amount. In some cases, it is possible to have one’s bail amount reduced according to his or her ability to pay. There are often other conditions imposed on individuals who post bail, such as the requirement that they avoid any criminal activity between being released from custody and their court dates.
Arrest Warrants versus Other Types of Warrant
Arrest warrants are not the only type of warrant that must be issued before law enforcement can take certain actions. Officers cannot search civilians’ vehicles or homes without valid search warrants. A bench warrant is a warrant that grants law enforcement the right to arrest an individual on sight because he or she did not appear in court as he or she was required to do. Another type of warrant is an extradition warrant, which allows law enforcement to arrest an individual who has sought asylum in another state.
Contact Our Experienced Miami Arrest Warrant Lawyers
If you have been arrested or charged with any type of criminal offense, be proactive and start working on your defense strategy with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can advise you about how to navigate interactions with law enforcement and the court as well as explain legal concepts to you, such as your rights as an accused individual and the specific details of your arrest warrant. To learn more, schedule your initial consultation with our team of experienced Miami arrest warrant lawyers at Ratzan & Faccidomo, LLC today.
