When a person commits a crime in Massachusetts, a warrant for their arrest may be issued by the court. However, there are other situations in which a warrant could be issued. If you have had a default warrant issued against you, it’s important that you understand what a default warrant is, the effects of a default warrant, and how you can remove the default warrant. To learn more, reach out to The Law Offices of Paul R. Moraski directly today.
What Is a Default Warrant?
A default warrant is not a warrant that is issued for your arrest when you actively commit a crime; rather, a default warrant is a type of warrant that is issued when you fail to do something that’s required by the court, such as a show up for a scheduled court date or make a court-ordered payment, such as a court fine or child support payment.
Effects of a Default Warrant
Once a default warrant has been issued by the court, notice of the warrant will be mailed to the last known address of the person named in the warrant. The warrant will also be entered into a database. This database is accessible to all law enforcement agencies in the country, as well as the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. The information will also become attached to the defendant’s criminal record. By having the warrant on one’s record and within the database, the defendant faces potential arrest, suspension of their driver’s license, and even termination of government benefits.
How to Remove a Default Warrant in Massachusetts
Fortunately, if you have had a default warrant issued against you, there are legal options. The notice of the warrant that is mailed with you should also include instructions and information about how you can clear the warrant. In many cases, removing a default warrant will involve paying a fee and appearing before the court. In all cases, taking action to clear the warrant sooner rather than later is strongly advised. The longer that you wait, the more likely the court is to associate the stronger penalties associated with the warrant, including harsher penalties or bail related to any original criminal charges the defendant faces.
Getting Help from a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney in Massachusetts
If you have received notice that a default warrant has been issued against you—or if you have failed to appear at a scheduled court hearing or have failed to make a court-ordered payment—it is important that you take action immediately. In all cases, the best thing that you can do is to hire a skilled criminal defense attorney in Massachusetts who is familiar with default warrants, the effects of these warrants, and how to remove default warrants.
At The Law Offices of Paul R. Moraski, our Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer is here to advocate for you. If you have had a default warrant issued against you or are facing criminal charges, don’t hesitate to call our law office directly at (978) 397-0011. You can also send us a message online to request a consultation.