Legal Question in Criminal Law in Washington

Re: Obtaining A Public Defender

Typically, yes. That is the purpose of the warrant - and you are going to the court that issued it.

Some courts have a practice of quashing a warrant if you personally appear at the clerk's office and schedule a new hearing date.

Call the clerk's office and ask whether the warrant will be quashed when you appear. If you do not get a definitive answer, have sufficient funds to post bail or arrange for a bond prior to going to the clerk's office.

Either way, it is better to handle the matter after preparing for it rather than be plucked out of your vehicle or home when you least expect it.

Re: Obtaining A Public Defender

Not necessarily. A bench warrant will subject you to arrest by any law enforcement officer. However, depending on the court's screening process, you may have no cause to have interaction with law enforcement. For example, in King County, you can go directly to to the Office of Public Defense to be screened. The Public Defender's office are not "law enforcement" and will not serve a warrant on you.

At your service,