Legal Question in DUI Law in California

what should i do if i have a bench warrant for not showing up at community service.


Asked on 1/30/14, 6:01 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

David M. Wallin Law Offices OF David M. Wallin

That depends. After handling 1000 DUI's, I would tell you that your always more likely to get a better result (NOT GO TO JAIL) with a good private criminal law attorney. But I would have to hear more, before I could give you a more definitive answer. Call an experienced attorney and go over the facts and get a more precise answer. I wish you well............David

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Answered on 1/30/14, 6:16 pm
Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

To handle any warrant, you MUST turn yourself in to the issuing court, with or without an attorney. On misdemeanors like this, an attorney can appear in court without the defendant being present. While this isn't a 'capital case', you now face potential jail and fines, so handle it right. You�ll try to negotiate a recall of the warrant[s]. You�ll try to negotiate a plea bargain on the probation violation that caused the warrant. Effective plea-bargaining by your attorney, using whatever legal defenses, facts and sympathies there may be, could possibly keep you out of jail, or at least dramatically reduce it, and may enable you to get your probation and programs reinstated. Unless you're competent to effectively represent yourself in court against a professional prosecutor trying to put you in jail, most people hire an attorney who can. If serious about hiring counsel to help in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I�ll be happy to help fight and get the best outcome possible, using whatever defenses and sympathies there may be.

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Answered on 1/31/14, 12:01 pm
Jessica McHarrie Law Office of Jessica McHarrie

My colleagues, David and Terry, are both bob on. When a bench warrant is issued for failure to comply with the terms of your sentence/probation "you" (either yourself or an experienced criminal defense attorney) need to go before the court and basically offer an explanation as to why you missed your community service. Best case scenario: you have a valid reason for why you failed to show up and the judge gives you a new date by which to complete your community service by. Worst case scenario: the judge won't be so accommodating and will add additional terms to the terms of your probation/sentence. It's always best to have someone who knows what their doing in these situations, hence why an attorney is a smart choice. Good luck.

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Answered on 2/03/14, 8:04 am


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