Arrest Warrant / Bench Warrant / 40508 Warrant
We can help clear the traffic warrant for your arrest in Los Angeles County
Failure to appear in court for a license violation will usually result in a warrant for your arrest (40508a Warrant).
If there is an Arrest Warrant or Bench Warrant or 40508a Warrant out for you in Los Angeles County call us immediately to speak with an attorney (310) 285-1516. We can help you clear this up.
How can I find out if I have a Warrant in Los Angeles County?
The best way to check to see if you have a bench warrant or arrest warrant or 40508a warrant in Los Angeles County is to go the courthouse listed on your traffic ticket and go to the criminal clerk window and have them run your name and date of birth through a warrant search on the court computer. Unfortunately because of budget cutbacks, it is very difficult to speak to someone by phone at Los Angeles county courthouses to see if you have a warrant for your arrest. If you like you can call us at 310-285-1516 to speak with a Traffic Ticket Attorney and we can find out for you if there is a warrant for your arrest in a Los Angeles county courthouse.
It is important to check the COURT computer!
NOTE: Many times traffic warrants do NOT show up on your DMV drivers license record. You can still have a warrant for your arrest even if you are able to renew your license or the DMV computer shows your license is clear of traffic tickets. That is why it is so important to check the court computer to see if there is a warrant for your arrest. The DMV computer may not show the bench warrant or arrest warrant or 40508a warrant.
If there is a warrant out for your arrest the best thing to do is take immediate action to clear it up. Not doing anything out of fear is not a good idea. Many times we can go to court for you and clear up the warrant without you having to appear in court at all.
How you get a Warrant for Failing to Appear in court - FTA 40508(a)
If you :-
- Get a ticket from a police officer for a misdemeanor such as :-
- driving on a suspended license (vehicle code section 14601.1)
- or driving without a California license (vehicle code section 12500)
- or driving on an expired license (vehicle code section 12500) - AND you do not appear in court ...
- then the judge has the power to issue a warrant for your arrest. This is called a bench warrant. A warrant is an order from the Judge to the police to arrest you and bring you to court for your failure to appear in court.
If you get a traffic ticket for a misdemeanor and you do not show up in court, a warrant for your arrest will be most likely be issued by the court. Under the law, misdemeanor punishment can include jail and that is why a failure to appear for a license violation - FTA Vehicle Code 40508a - will usually result in a warrant for your arrest.
The difference between Infractions and Misdemeanors
Infractions
Most traffic tickets you get are considered "infractions" which means you cannot go to jail for these violations. Infractions are not punishable by imprisonment in jail. The worst that can happen to you with an infraction is a fine and the DMV suspends your license for failing to appear or the DMV puts a hold on your license.
Misdemeanors
However if you get a ticket and the police officer circled M next to the violation written on your ticket, that means you were cited for a misdemeanor. Under the law, misdemeanor punishment can include jail. Most common misdemeanor violations for traffic tickets are for driving on a suspended license because you have a failure to appear on your drivers license, (VC 14601.1), or for living and driving in California but not having a California license (VC 12500), or for having an expired California drivers license (VC 12500).
Failure to go to court when you get a ticket for a misdemeanor violation will result in either a bench warrant or an arrest warrant.
Clear your traffic warrant up as fast as possible
It is very important that you clear your traffic warrant up as fast as possible.
Under the law, misdemeanor punishment can include jail and that is why if you fail to appear in court (FTA), a bench warrant or arrest warrant will be issued for your arrest. It is very important that you clear your warrant up as fast as possible to avoid suddenly finding yourself in Los Angeles County jail. Call us if you have a warrant for your arrest so we can help you clear it up immediately.
Do you live out-of-state or out-of-town?
If you live out-of-state (not in California), or out-of-town (a long distance from Los Angeles County), we can usually help you clear up your arrest warrant or bench warrant for license violations without you having to come to court in Los Angeles.
We can go to court with you to protect you
If you have a warrant out for your arrest in Los Angeles County (an Arrest Warrant or Bench Warrant) for a misdemeanor violation, we can go to court with you to protect you. We will go in front of the judge with you to ask that the arrest warrant be removed and will do everything possible to keep you out of Los Angeles County jail.
The best way to deal with a warrant
Arrest Warrant / Bench Warrant / 40508 Warrant
Most people, when they have a warrant for their arrest, are afraid to go to court to face the Judge - fearing he or she will put them in jail. However, oftentimes Judges will appreciate the fact that you have come to court to deal with this problem, and will not put you in jail.
Ignoring a warrant places you at a greater risk of going to jail, because if the Police catch you, they will most likely take you directly to the Los Angeles County jail; then after a few days in jail, they then take you to see the Judge in your case. Going directly to see the Judge about your warrant is usually the best way to deal with it.
Probation violation warrant
Call us immediately for a free legal consultation with an attorney as we have an excellent track record in obtaining alternatives to Los Angeles County Jail for probation violations (310) 285-1516.
We can help
We will do everything possible to keep you out of Los Angeles County jail.
Call us for a free legal consultation with a Los Angeles Traffic Ticket Attorney to discuss your options (310) 285-1516.