Rancho Cucamonga Bench Warrant Attorney
Do you have an ARREST WARRANT? Here’s what you need to know.
First of all let me introduce myself. I am a private practice attorney located in Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino County California. I have represented people accused of crimes since 1976. Today I am by myself. In years past, I had as many as 8 employees. Today, it’s just me. If you hire me, I will be your attorney, I won’t send someone else except in an emergency. Second, I will be available to you by text to deal with any problems, questions or concerns. Third, not all cases are the same. In fact all are different. That means your case will have unique aspects. I will research your charges, and possible defenses, not just apply a one size fits all approach you may have encountered.
Do you have a BENCH WARRANT? Here’s what you need to know.
Do you have a Bench Warrant?
A bench warrant is a type of warrant that a California judge can issue in a criminal case or some times, even a civil case to order a person to be arrested, usually for failing to appear, when previously ordered. Some times, a bench warrant will be issued for violating a court order. California judges will typically issue bench warrants when a defendant fails to show up to mandated court proceedings such as pretrial appearances.
Do you have a Sesslin Warrant?
A Sesslin warrant is a California arrest warrant issued based on an affidavit (a Sesslin affidavit) establishing probable cause, rather than just on a complaint’s “information and belief”. People v. Sesslin 68 Cal. 2d 421 a 1968 California Supreme Court case. It requires that a judge determine if facts exist showing the suspect (you?) committed a crime.
Both warrants give police the authority to arrest someone on sight and take them to jail immediately. If you are a criminal defendant, being arrested on a bench warrant is likely to raise your bail and/or subject you to additional conditions such as an ankle monitor or possibly cause you to forfeit the chance to be out on bail entirely while awaiting trial.
As an attorney, I have represented many people with warrants. Often I am able to discover the warrant, and surrender a person to the court, instead of the traumatic experience of being arrested at an inconvenient time and place. This strategy usually results in bail on the most favorable terms. Even for serious and violent crimes, the case gets off to a better, and more favorable start. If you have a warrant, YOU ARE A FUGITIVE. Fugitives often get rough treatment. Some get shot.
Warrants can issue for many reasons. Failing to appear in court for any reason, including as ordered, or by subpoena to testify on someone else’s case, appearing at your own arraignment or other criminal proceeding, reporting for jury duty, or some other court proceeding, violating probation, disobeying a court order, repeatedly failing to pay court-ordered child support. I can help you deal with this problem in the safest, least traumatic way possible.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU MIGHT HAVE WARRANT?
In my experience, the most common reason for a Bench Warrant is that you didn’t show up for court when you didn’t even know you were supposed to be there. There may also be other legitimate reasons why you were unable to show up to court or otherwise follow a court order. You may have been traveling, or you may have suffered an unexpected illness or injury. You may be unable to pay your child support or alimony because of unforeseen financial hardships. I can usually get the warrant lifted and make alternate arrangements.
If you think you might be subject to a bench warrant, you can go on the internet and search warrant search databases online. You can then either surrender to the Sheriff at any of their offices, or go directly to the clerk of the court that issued the warrant. Neither is usually NOT the best approach
By far, the better strategy is to seek advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney. I will research the warrant, and advise you on the best approach in your circumstances. I offer this service for free, if the warrant was issued from a court in the Inland Empire area, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Eastern portions of Los Angeles. If you do have a pending case, I will also help you understand the charges against you, and develop a strategy to best deal with them. While this service is also at no charge, I will then discuss terms for representation to implement the proposed defense strategy, and financial arrangements for those services.
I’m John D. Lueck. I can help you determine if you are subject to a warrant and how best to respond. If you or someone you know think you have a warrant, or been arrested for a crime, contact me, John Lueck at 909-484-1963 for a free initial consultation.
