Bell County Bench Warrant Attorney
If you were arrested for a crime and allowed to remain free pending your trial date, you probably know that there are certain conditions attached to your release. One of the most important terms, regardless of whether you posted bail, is to appear in court for all subsequent proceedings. The Texas statute on bail jumping and failure to appear applies if you do not do so, and the law is surprisingly harsh. The judge may issue a bench warrant for a violation, making you a target for law enforcement officers and adding new legal troubles for your criminal case.
Being jailed on a bench warrant is harsh, but it is possible to fight the charges and avoid serious punishment with a solid defense strategy. The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC has represented numerous clients accused of bail jumping, so we know the tactics that work. Please contact our firm to set up a free consultation with a Bell County bench warrant attorney right away. Some basics about the law are also helpful.
How Bench Warrants Work in Texas
There are multiple types of warrants in the criminal process, but a bench warrant is specifically directed at situations of failure to appear in court. When you are absent from a required hearing, the judge will issue a bench warrant and turn it over to law enforcement. Police are responsible for serving you with the bench warrant, which empowers them to seek you out, arrest you, and hold you in custody until the next hearing. You will have the opportunity to address the charges in court, at which point you may take advantage of such defenses as:
- You had a reasonable excuse for failing to appear;
- The appearance was related to probation or parole; or
- You did not intentionally or knowingly fail to appear.
Failure to appear is a Class A Misdemeanor, for which a judge could order 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine. However, if the underlying offense was a felony, bail jumping is a Third Degree Felony. The mandatory minimum prison sentence is 2 years, but the court may sentence you to a maximum of 20 years’ incarceration.
What to do About a Texas Bench Warrant
Your first priority after being served with paperwork should be contacting a Bell County bench warrants attorney. The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC will guide you through the process, but additional tips include:
- If you become aware that a bench warrant was issued, consult with a lawyer before service.
- Do not resist when officers serve you with the warrant.
- Never answer questions or provide statements to police.
Contact a Bell County Bench Warrants Attorney to Learn More
Allegations of bail jumping and failure to appear can lead to harsh consequences, but you still have rights. To learn more about them, please contact The Law Office of Katie L. Gomez, PLLC at 254-330-3214 or via our website. We can schedule a no-cost consultation with a Bell County bench warrants attorney at our location in Temple, TX.
