What is a misdemeanor warrant?
What is a Misdemeanor Warrant?
A misdemeanor warrant is an arrest warrant for a crime that is considered a misdemeanor. This can include anything from shoplifting to assault or drug possession. The police have probable cause to believe that you committed a crime, and the judge issues an arrest warrant for your arrest. When the police see you, they can take you into custody immediately and bring you before the court system for trial on your crime.
Does misdemeanor warrant expire?
Does Misdemeanor Warrant Expire?
If you have a misdemeanor warrant, it’s important to know how long it can be active. If you don’t know the answer to this question and a police officer pulls you over for speeding or something else that could lead to arrest, the only thing on your mind will be getting back home safely. It may not occur to you until later that there are consequences for this type of situation—like having your vehicle impounded or facing charges for failure-to-appear (FTA). While some misdemeanors expire after three years under California law, other offenses may remain on record forever.
After being arrested, most people are familiar with how long an arrestee should be held in custody before they’re released on bail or their own recognizance; however, what happens once they’ve been booked into jail?
Takeaway:
If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge and you’re wondering if it will come back to haunt you, know that the answer is yes. It depends on the state you live in, but generally speaking, a misdemeanor warrant expires after seven years.
Just like a felony charges, misdemeanors are issued by a court when someone has been charged with committing an offense against state or federal law. If convicted of these crimes, people may face fines and jail time as well as probation or other penalties set by their judge.
While there are several types of criminal offenses with which one might be charged (felonies being more serious than misdemeanors), if your case results in no conviction or if it ends up being dismissed for any reason at all—whether through legal proceedings or because someone agrees to plead guilty—you should have no worries about having your record cleared and having your warrant removed from police records.
Conclusion
If you are concerned about whether or not a misdemeanor warrant will expire, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney. Only an attorney can protect your rights in court and make sure that the case against you is dismissed.