If you know you have a warrant out for your arrest, you are in a sticky situation. You don't want to get caught off guard while you are out enjoying your day, so you might decide to turn yourself in. Turning yourself in may be the smartest way to deal with the charges against you.

One problem remains: what do you do if you want to turn yourself in? The process may be simpler than you think. Here is what you need to know about turning yourself in.

Understand Arrest Warrants

First, you need to understand what an arrest warrant is, even if you don't know exactly why you have one. Warrants are issued by a judge when you are accused of committing a crime, but a judge can also issue a warrant if you have defied your probation or failed to comply with court orders.

Additionally, some people have warrants issued for them because they failed to appear in court while awaiting trial. Whether you forgot your court date or never learned it, you need to settle the matter quickly.

If you have a warrant issued in your name, you should receive notice in the mail or via the phone. Police may also try to get in touch with your family members to reach you.

Understand the Consequences of Turning Yourself In

While turning yourself in may be the legally responsible thing to do, you still need to learn about the next steps first. For example, what is your bond going to be, should you be released? Ensure that your loved ones have the pertinent information so that they can bail you out of jail.

Turning yourself in can be nerve-wracking for you and your family. Know that coming in to the police station may be the best way to relieve anxiety because you are not always on the run, looking over your shoulder for the possibility of a police officer looking for you.

Talk to a Criminal Defense Attorney

A criminal defense attorney is a great resource when you plan on turning yourself in. The criminal defense attorney will look into the details of your case and begin working on finding a way to get you out of jail or to develop your case. Sometimes attorneys may be able to lower your bail significantly, allowing you to leave jail to work on your defense, continue working, and spend time with your family.

Hire a criminal defense attorney ahead of time because you may have difficulty accessing your attorney once you are behind bars. You need a professional looking out for you. You should also have an attorney present for the initial statements you make to police to prevent you from saying something that the prosecution might use against you in court.

Your attorney can also instruct you about your Miranda rights, which ensure that you do not incriminate yourself.

Come In During the Week

Many people recommend coming in during the week, after Monday. This is because Monday can be a long day of trying to get everything taken care of from the weekend. You may have a better time coming in between Tuesday and Thursday for processing. If you come in on Friday, you might have to sit in jail over the weekend before seeing a judge.

Seek Bail Bonds

Finally, remember that you have a way out. Get in touch with a bail bond agency or pass information along to your loved ones to ensure you can get out of jail as quickly as possible.

A-Action Bail Bonds knows you may be in a predicament you are not familiar with. That's why we do our best to help individuals in your situation. Call us today if you need bail after you have turned yourself in.