Legal Question in Criminal Law in Arizona

Failure to Appear Warrant

person was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana-went to the court date and was told that the court date was scratched-and that charges could be brought up at anytime-person was stopped -they showed ID and was then arrested for having a warrant- a court date was given upon discharge-person failed to appear-it is now 3 years later and they want to resolve this-What should they do-do you suggest that they get a lawyer-the have very little money-they were 19 when this first happened


Asked on 2/02/07, 12:30 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

Re: Failure to Appear Warrant

The longer you wait, the more likely you'll be arrested on the warrant, if you come in contact with police at any time. The proper answer is to have an attorney negotiate the terms of a plea bargain on the warrant and original charges. You can try it yourself, but you have to go turn yourself into the court and hope for the best. The legal profession exists because lawyers are useful in getting things done, and deals made, that you can't do yourself. Feel free to contact me if you decide to get counsel, and if this is in SoCal.

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Answered on 2/02/07, 1:26 pm
Daniel J. Mangan III JuryTrialJustice

Re: Failure to Appear Warrant

Well the obvious answer is to get an attorney...Depending upon the specific jurisdiction at issue, Some Courts/DA's will resolve these early. Usually, Counsel can contact the DA and make some inquiries before the case is calendared and the case is resolved with one appearance. An alternative is to calendar the case pro per, ask fo rthe Public Defender and take your chance with being remanded into custoy...alternative 1 is better, obviously.

DJM

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Answered on 2/02/07, 8:49 pm


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