Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: Suspended License

You paid DMV four plus years ago with a bad check. This was reported to the District Attorney in the City or County in which the DMV Office was located. The D. A. sent you a letter at your address, and for whatever reason you failed to respond. You've now made the check good. However, the (bench) warrant is still outstanding and you may be arrested whenever the police stop you and request to see your Drivers License.

You now need to go to the court alone or with the assistance of an Attorney, and have your criminal file sent by the clerk to a judge. You'll need to take along some proof that you paid DMV for the bad check. Your new Driver's License, with your story of what occurred, maybe sufficient proof.

The judge will probably not take you into custody if you appear voluntarily, However the judge will set a court date for you to return to resolve the matter of your failure to appear, or may take care of the matter at your first appearance.

Depending on what occurs you may suffer a conviction, or the matter may be dropped with a nominal cost assessed to cover the court's cost of issuing the warrant.

Be a responsible citizen and go in voluntarily. Otherwise you'll be taken to jail and sit there until the judge has time to talk to you.

Then after whatever occurs is finished you may reqeust that the matter be taken off your record.