Warrants in Florida

What is a Warrant?

A warrant is a court order authorizing law enforcement to take a specific action. 

What are the Different Types of Warrants in Florida?

• Arrest warrant—An arrest warrant is a court order authorizing law enforcement to arrest a person suspected of committing a crime.
• Bench warrant— A bench warrant is issued by a judge and orders the arrest of a person who has failed to appear in court as required.
• Fugitive warrant—A fugitive warrant is issued for arresting a person who is wanted in another state or jurisdiction.
• Failure to pay child support warrant— If you fail to pay child support as ordered by a court, you may be subject to arrest under a warrant for failure to pay child support.

How Can I Find Out if I Have an Outstanding Warrant in Florida

Besides contacting an experienced warrants attorney, there are a few additional ways you can check to see if you have an outstanding warrant in Florida:

• Contact the clerk of court in the county where you believe the warrant was issued. The clerk's office can tell you if there is an active warrant in your name.
• Check the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's (FDLE) online database of outstanding warrants. This database can be searched by name and includes warrants from across the state.
• Contact a local law enforcement agency. They may be able to tell you if there is an active warrant in your name.

How Can an Attorney Help You if You Have a Warrant

If you have an outstanding warrant in Florida, an attorney can help you in many ways:

• Surrendering— An attorney can help you turn yourself in and negotiate your surrender with law enforcement and the court.
• Posting bond— If you are eligible for bond, an attorney can help you arrange to have it posted and get released from custody.
• Resolving the warrant— An attorney can work with the court and prosecution to resolve the underlying issues that led to the warrant being issued, such as appearing in court or paying fines.
• Fighting the charges— If you believe you were wrongly accused or the evidence does not support the charges against you, an attorney can help you defend yourself in court and fight the charges.

If you have an outstanding warrant, it is best to address the matter as soon as possible. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.

Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Even if you are not aware of an outstanding warrant, you can still be arrested on that warrant. If you think you may have an outstanding warrant, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible for advice on how to proceed.