Bench warrants in California tied to charges for driving under the influence (DUI) should be taken seriously. A bench warrant can lead to your arrest and it will not go away until it is resolved in the court system.
You can use this article to review the severity of a bench warrant for a DUI with the Simmrin Law Group. Consider the legal applications of a bench warrant. Get help handling a DUI bench warrant in your name by calling (310) 896-2723.
Judges Can Issue a Bench Warrant in DUI Cases
A bench warrant for a DUI can have a number of serious impacts on your life. You may end up with a bench warrant in your name if you are accused of violating court orders in California. Frequently, judges issue bench warrants in DUI cases if someone:
- Misses their arraignment hearing
- Misses any pretrial or trial dates
- Violates any terms of DUI probation
Any of the above actions can result in a bench warrant for your arrest in California. Let’s review the serious outcomes associated with a bench warrant now.
DUI Bench Warrants Can Lead to Your Arrest
Judges in California issue bench warrants when they want you to be arrested for disobeying an order made by the court. Technically, law enforcement officers in California are permitted to seek you out to arrest you after a bench warrant has been issued.
However, you should be aware that law enforcement agencies do not have unlimited resources. For this reason, a bench warrant will be entered into your public record. If you are stopped by a law enforcement officer for any reason, they will be able to see your bench warrant. At this point, you can be arrested and incarcerated.
Criminal Charges Associated with Bench Warrants
You can face a number of criminal charges if you are arrested on a bench warrant. The warrant is supposed to ensure you face the initial DUI charges brought against you. Depending upon your situation, you could face additional charges for failure to appear.
Failure to appear in court is a criminal offense in California. Convictions for failure to appear can easily result in:
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Up to six months in jail
Note that the above penalties will be in addition to any penalties you face for a DUI conviction. You can get help addressing the failure to appear charges by working with a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles. Focus on your defense now by calling (310) 896-2723.
DUI Bench Warrants Can Lead to a License Suspension
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will likely become aware of your bench warrant after a DUI arrest. The DMV has the right to suspend your license after a DUI arrest, in any case, but sometimes you can prevent this suspension by requesting a hearing with the DMV.
If you retain your driving privileges but then face a bench warrant, the DMV may decide to suspend your license. This does not occur in all cases, but the DMV has the legal ability to remove your driving privileges if the court issues a bench warrant for DUI charges.
Other Effects of DUI Bench Warrants in California
DUI bench warrants can have serious impacts on your life even outside of the legal sphere. Because bench warrants are included in your public record, they can be viewed by many different people. This means that the bench warrant could be seen by:
- Potential landlords
- Loan officers
- Future employers
In many cases, a bench warrant could make it more difficult for you to secure a job or a place to live. Additionally, anyone who becomes aware of your warrant could inform the police as to your location, leading to an arrest.
Handle a DUI Bench Warrant with Legal Assistance
You do not have to attempt to handle a DUI bench warrant in California on your own. You can get professional assistance from a DUI lawyer in Los Angeles right now. The Simmrin Law Group can review your legal situation before providing you with advice about your next steps.
Allow us to work to get your bench warrant dismissed by the court. We can also help you handle the DUI charges that led the court to issue a bench warrant for you.
A DUI Lawyer Will Take Your Bench Warrant Seriously
A bench warrant for a DUI in California can be very serious. The warrant can lead to your arrest and it will not go away on its own. Get help putting a bench warrant behind you by contacting the Simmrin Law Group. Reach out to us now for a FREE case evaluation.
You can speak to our DUI lawyers in Los Angeles by calling (310) 896-2723 or completing our online contact form.