It is actually very rare for a person to be caught in the act of committing a crime and then arrested on the spot. Most of the time, the police investigate, gather evidence, and then get a warrant to make an arrest. If the police want to secure a felony arrest warrant, they must prove to a judge that they have sufficient evidence. Read on to learn about this process and then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 if you require the help of a criminal defense attorney.

The Police Need to Prove Several Elements to a Judge

In order for a judge to grant a felony arrest warrant, the police must have evidence enough to convince the judge that there is probable cause that a felony was committed, and that the person who they are seeking the arrest warrant against is the person who committed the crime.

The Fourth Amendment requires that the warrant included specific factors about the person it is being served against, such as their name, a description of them, a description of the crime, and a signature from a judge.

Learn What to Do if You Have a Felony Arrest Warrant Issued Against You

In most cases, a felony arrest warranty is not going to expire and it can be served anywhere in the country, so leaving town is not going to help. These are not warrants that will go away if you ignore them. We recommend that you take action. In most cases, this involves turning yourself in. This might sound counterintuitive to what you want, but it is generally the right decision.

That said, you should never turn yourself in without the help of a criminal defense attorney. We can arrange for your self-surrender to ensure it all goes smoothly. For example, if you are accused of a high-profile crime, your attorney can help you surrender in a controlled environment that reduces the chance you will be treated roughly.

There Are Defense Options to the Charges You Are Facing

When a person does not want to turn themselves in, it is generally because they assume that doing so will automatically turn into prison time. This is not true. Even if you were caught “red-handed,” there are always defense options. It could be that the officers gathering evidence did not do so legally. It could be that eyewitnesses were not wearing their glasses and therefore cannot be trusted.

No matter if you are facing a theft charge, a murder charge, or anything in between, you need the advice of an attorney before you turn yourself in. You can contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to request a free legal consultation.