QUESTION
How do I know if there is a warrant for my arrest for fighting?
Asked on Aug 24th, 2011 on Criminal Law - Oregon
More details to this question:
I am scared I am going to get arrested for fighting. We were at a friends house and his brother was also there, but doesn't live there. The more he drank, the more aggressive he got. He finally came at me and I defended myself. I hit him first but I was sure he was walking towards me to hit me. He got stitches in his ear and has filed a police report. Am I going to go to jail over this? I have witnesses who will corroborate my story. How do I go about finding out if there is a warrant for my arrest?
23 ANSWERS
Gary Moore
Hire an attorney to find out for you.
Answered on Jun 11th, 2013 at 1:57 AM
If you hire an attorney the attorney can find out for you.
Answered on Jun 11th, 2013 at 1:52 AM
Jacob P. Sartz
The courts or police would know whether a warrant has been issued for your arrest. If the warrant is issued, you should turn yourself in to be arraigned. If you are ultimately charged, you would be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The prosecutor would have to prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. You have a right to council. I'd recommend you retain an attorney to assist you with this matter.
Answered on Aug 31st, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Speeding & Traffic Ticket Attorney serving Sherman Oaks, CA
Partner at
Law Offices of Phil Hache
4 Awards
You or an attorney on your behalf should check in with the criminal clerk in the jurisdiction the warrant would potentially be issued in. They can give you that information, then it can be dealt with accordingly if a warrant is in fact issued.
Answered on Aug 26th, 2011 at 6:32 PM
Appellate Practice Attorney serving Clinton Township, MI
at
Thomas J. Tomko, Attorney at Law
Update Your Profile
You should hire an attorney to represent you. The attorney can check on charges, and then you can formulate your defense and discuss how this can be resolved. You may need to go to trial to resolve this.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 7:17 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Lake Charles, LA
at
Michael R. Garber
Update Your Profile
Contact the police dept and sheriff's office, warrant divisions, and ask.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Roianne Houlton Conner
Contact the law enforcement agencies in the area and see if a warrant was signed against you.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 12:03 PM
You or your attorney could ask the police or prosecting attorney if a warrant has been authorized for your arrest.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Geoffrey MacLaren Yaryan
Call the sheriff's department in the county where you live, and ask them
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Call local law enforcement and ask if there is a warrant. If so, turn yourself in and explain what happened.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Wrongful Termination Attorney serving Huntington Beach, CA
at
Nelson & Lawless
Update Your Profile
Have your attorney contact the local DA office to inquire. Hell need you ID info to do so. Do not initiate contact yourself to avoid arrest on the spot. Usually, police contact you for questioning before filing charges, but not always. If they do, exercise the 5th Amendment right to SHUT UP and do NOT talk to police or ANYONE about the case except an attorney. Most police and prosecutors will happily tell you that 95% of people convict themselves by trying to be 'helpful and cooperative', either during initial contact, questioning, interview or interrogation.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 10:53 AM
You can call the court or police agency where this occurred. Of course if there is a warrant or potentially I would recommend that you conatct an attorney so they can search for you.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Bankruptcy Attorney serving Federal Way, WA
at
Freeborn Law Offices P.S.
Update Your Profile
Depending upon how soon this incident occurred. Generally, if charges are filed, and you have no criminal record, you will receive a notice to appear in court and respond to the charges. This is an arraignment where you admit or deny the charge. Sounds like you may have an issue of self defense. You need to consult with an attorney.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Los Angeles, CA
at
Law Office of Edward J. Blum
Update Your Profile
You need to go to any superior court criminal clerk window in the county where it happened and present your name and date of birth the clerk will be able to tell you if you have any warrants. You can call it to the court and take care of it or hire an attorney to handle it for you.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 8:29 AM
When the warrant is issued you will either receive a letter giving you a date to appear in court or the police will come to you and arrest you. If either of these things happens, do not talk about the incident with anyone other than your attorney. Tell the police that you want your attorney with you during all questing and that you have nothing to say about the incident until he is with you. Call me for help.
Answered on Aug 25th, 2011 at 5:49 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Seattle, WA
at
The Law Office of Michael Morgan, L.L.C.
Update Your Profile
Call the local court and ask if you have a warrant.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 8:49 PM
Small Businesses Attorney serving Livonia, MI
at
Klisz Law Office, PLLC
Update Your Profile
The police will contact you. It is not self defense to hit someone first.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 8:16 PM
Drug Crimes Attorney serving Philadelphia, PA
at
Laguzzi Law, P.C.
Update Your Profile
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to have them find out if there is an active warrant. Your attorney can make plans to have you turn yourself in, assuming there is a warrant, to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of having it done at work or if you are pulled over on a routine traffic stop.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 8:13 PM
Michael J. Breczinski
Talk to an attorney. The attorney can call the court and find out if there is a warrant for your arrest.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 7:49 PM
Adoptions Attorney serving Lansing, MI
at
Austin Legal Services, PLC
Update Your Profile
You can contact the police department and ask the investigating officer if he asked for a warrant. You can also contact the county prosecutor's office and ask if there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 7:37 PM
Drug Charges Attorney serving Houston, TX
at
Cynthia Henley
Update Your Profile
Call a local bondsman to see if there is a warrant. You might also want to go ahead and talk to a couple of lawyers to line someone up in the event that you do get charged. Just because you hit first does not mean that you are guilty of assault. If you reasonably believed that you had to act in order to protect yourself then you were acting in self defense. Get the names and contact information for all of the witnesses to provide to the lawyer you finally decide upon in the event you are charged. If there is a warrant, you can make a no-arrest bond by posting the bond, getting fingerprinted & photographed & then be released.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 7:33 PM
You can call the court that is in the district where the incident occurred. The clerk should be able to tell you if there is a warrant or not. You should also hire an attorney before you incriminate yourself. Expect DA investigators to be knocking on your door with requests for a statement. NEVER talk to anyone without your attorney present!
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 7:26 PM
4 Awards
Anyone facing potential criminal charges is well advised to get a capable criminal defense attorney on board at the earliest possible time. The earlier in the process that you engage the assistance of a defense attorney, the better for you. It makes no difference whether the police have an arrest warrant. In most cases, the police have no need for an arrest warrant in order to take a person into custody. We are available to help you, if desired.
Answered on Aug 24th, 2011 at 7:25 PM