What Happens if A Warrant Has Been Issued for My Arrest in CA?

If you find out that there is a California arrest warrant, search warrant, or other type of warrant issued for you in California, it can be scary and overwhelming. But understanding what it means if you have an outstanding warrant, and how California treats warrants, can make a big difference in this situation.

Arrest warrants are a common part of the legal process, and they are used as a tool by courts and law enforcement officers to arrest individuals legally. However, most people don't understand how they work or what they should do if they find out they have misdemeanor warrants, felony warrants, or any type of warrant out for their arrest.

Are you asking "what to do if a warrant has been issued for my arrest in CA?" Keep reading to find out.

How California Arrest Warrants Are Issued

In California, an arrest warrant is issued by a court order. It allows law enforcement officers to detain a person and bring them to the court. A judge must review and sign the warrant before it is valid. This is similar to how a search warrant works, but with a search warrant, it only allows evidence to be collected. Then, the evidence obtained can use used as a reason to arrest a person.

There are two main types of arrest warrants that a judge will issue:

1. Probable Cause Warrants

These are issued when law enforcement presents evidence to a judge showing probable cause that a person committed a crime, in other words, they have enough evidence to show that the individual has conducted criminal activity. The person may not yet know they are the subject of an investigation until the warrant becomes active, but then it's a criminal matter. These types of warrants are common in felony cases but can also arise from misdemeanor investigations.

2. Bench Warrants

Bench warrants are issued when a person fails to follow a court order. The most common triggers include:

• Failing to appear in court

• Missing a payment deadline, even for something like a traffic violation

• Ignoring probation requirements or directives of a probation officer

• Not completing court-ordered classes or treatment

Bench warrants are among the most common warrants issued in the Sacramento area. Even minor infractions—such as a missed traffic court date—can cause a bench warrant to be issued.

Regardless of the type, once a warrant is active, law enforcement has the authority to arrest the individual at any time.

What Happens After a Warrant Is Issued

Once a warrant has been issued, a number of things will happen.

Entry Into Law Enforcement Databases

Active warrants are placed into local, state, and national databases, including the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS). This allows peace officers from anyplace in California, or even around the country, to see the warrant and arrest the person during any traffic stop, at their home, or even at a workplace.

Potential for Immediate Arrest

Many times, when arrests will happen quickly and without warning. Many people assume that law enforcement will notify them before they make an arrest, but that's not the case. Oftentimes, if a person gets pulled over, if an officer runs their license plate, or if they conduct a welfare check, they can arrest that person in most cases. In this case, it's best to comply and then reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney. They insight to questions like What are the different types of warrants in CA?

Risk of Additional Charges

Not addressing a warrant promptly can lead to additional penalties. For instance, a bench warrant connected to a failure to appear can cause additional legal challenges like:

• Driver's license suspensions

• Increased fines or more jail time

• Higher bail amounts

• Court seeing the individual as non-compliant

These issues often complicate the case and some have serious consequences.

Why a Person Should Not Ignore an Arrest Warrant

Ignoring a warrant never benefits the person. California courts take non-compliance seriously, and waiting for law enforcement to make an arrest can lead to harsher consequences. Some risks include:

Unexpected Arrests at Embarrassing Times

Being detained in front of children, coworkers, or neighbors is both stressful and damaging. Addressing a warrant proactively prevents this type of situation.

Increased Bail

If the person is arrested instead of voluntarily appearing in court, judges often set higher bail amounts because they believe the individual is a flight risk or unwilling to cooperate.

More Difficulty Resolving the Underlying Case

Warrants often slow down case progression and may require additional hearings or conditions before the court is willing to proceed.

Taking swift, strategic action after learning of a warrant is the best way to regain control.

How a Criminal Defense Attorney Helps

A criminal defense lawyer plays an important role in resolving warrants efficiently and safely. Attorneys regularly handle warrant-related issues and know how Sacramento County judges and prosecutors typically manage them. They can share insight on California "No Knock" warrants as well. Goss Law frequently helps clients take steps such as:

Confirming the Nature of the Warrant

Many individuals hear about a warrant through a third party or letter and are unsure whether it is a bench warrant, arrest warrant, or something else entirely. An attorney can confirm:

• Whether the warrant is active

• Which court issued it

• What charges or issues it relates to

• Whether bail is attached

This information shapes the strategy used to resolve the warrant. It may be beneficial to hire a criminal defense law firm in Sacramento CA with help confirming the nature of the warrant.

Arranging a Voluntary Surrender

Voluntary surrender—when handled correctly—can significantly reduce the stress and consequences of a warrant. A defense attorney can coordinate with the court to:

• Schedule a surrender at a controlled time

• Appear with the client in court

• Argue for release without bail or with minimal bail

• Show the judge that the person is cooperating

Judges tend to respond positively when a person takes responsibility for addressing the warrant.

Negotiating Release Terms

Depending on the case, an attorney may be able to request:

• OR release (own-recognizance release)

• Lower bail amounts

• Alternative conditions instead of jail

Without legal representation, courts rarely offer these options.

Addressing the Underlying Charges

Resolving the warrant is only the beginning. The attorney then works on the case itself—whether the issue involves a failure to appear, a new criminal charge, or a probation violation. Early involvement helps protect the client’s rights and limits exposure to penalties.

Common Scenarios Leading to Warrants in Sacramento

Goss Law often sees several recurring situations that lead to warrants:

• Someone missed a court date due to moving, losing paperwork, or misunderstanding the date.

• A person believed a ticket was handled online but the system did not process it.

• An individual did not complete community service, classes, or probation terms on time.

• Law enforcement conducted an investigation and a judge approved an arrest warrant after reviewing probable cause.

In many of these cases, the individual had no harmful intent. Nevertheless, the court system still treats the warrant seriously.

Steps a Person Should Take After Learning a Warrant Exists

While each situation is unique, several steps are almost always helpful:

1. Confirm the warrant with an attorney—not by calling law enforcement directly.

2. Avoid contact with police until legal counsel provides guidance.

3. Do not travel out of state, as doing so can complicate the case.

4. Gather any documents related to the underlying issue.

5. Follow the attorney’s instructions about voluntarily appearing in court.

Taking action promptly demonstrates responsibility and may influence how the judge handles the case.

Work With Goss Law - A Criminal Defense Lawyer

Discovering that a warrant has been issued for one’s arrest in California can be overwhelming, but it does not have to spiral into a crisis. Understanding the reason for the warrant, acting quickly, and securing legal representation are the keys to resolving the situation with minimal disruption. Goss Law regularly helps individuals throughout Sacramento navigate the warrant-resolution process, protect their rights, and move forward with a clear legal path.