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Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are issued for a variety of reasons, most commonly when an alleged offender is suspected of having committed a criminal offense or when a person missed a court appearance. When a warrant is issued for a person's arrest, it is a court order authorizing law enforcement to arrest the named individual and take him or her into custody.

Arrest warrants do not simply go away. Unless a judge recalls the warrant, the only way that an active warrant for your arrest—information that is shared by law enforcement agencies across the United States—will no longer be outstanding is if you are placed under arrest.

Attorney for Arrest Warrants in Gainesville, FL

If you believe that an arrest warrant has been issued against you in north central Florida, it is in your best interest to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Galigani Law Firm defends clients all over the greater Gainesville area throughout the criminal process, including residents of and visitors to communities in Bradford County, Columbia County, Alachua County, and Baker County.

You can have our attorneys review your case and discuss all of your legal options when you call (352) 375-0812 to receive a free, confidential consultation.

Alachua County Arrest Warrants Information Center

• How do arrest warrants get issued in criminal cases?
• When are some other circumstances in which arrest warrants can be issued?
• How can people resolve active warrants?
• How can I learn more about arrest warrants in Gainesville?

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Criminal Arrest Warrants Process in Gainesville

In a criminal case, law enforcement obtains an arrest warrant by submitting a written affidavit under oath to a Florida judge or magistrate. The affidavit must contain specific information that establishes probable cause, meaning that there is a reasonable basis for believing that a crime was committed and the individual named in the arrest warrant committed that crime.

Florida Rule of Criminal Procedure 3.121 establishes that an arrest warrant, when issued, shall:

• be in writing and in the name of the State of Florida;

• set forth substantially the nature of the offense;

• command that the person against whom the complaint was made be arrested and brought before a judge;

• specify the name of the person to be arrested or, if the name is unknown to the judge, designate the person by any name or description by which the person can be identified with reasonable certainty, and include a photograph if reasonably available;

• state the date when issued and the county where issued;

• be signed by the judge with the title of the office; or, may be electronically signed by the judge if the arrest warrant bears the affiant’s signature, or electronic signature, is supported by an oath or affirmation administered by the judge, or other person authorized by law to administer oaths, and, if submitted electronically, is submitted by reliable electronic means; and

• for offenses where a right to bail exists, set the amount of bail or other conditions of release, and the return date.

If a judge or magistrate signs off on a warrant, the judge or magistrate can also issue a “No Bond” warrant. A No Bond warrant means that an alleged offender will not be able to bond out of jail immediately after being arrested and either must wait until his or her next court date or request a bond hearing.

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Other Types of Arrest Warrants in Alachua County

An arrest warrant issued as part of criminal investigations is one of several types of warrants. Other common examples of arrest warrants include the following:

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is a warrant, typically issued by a judge from the bench when an alleged offender has not appeared for a scheduled court date. A bench warrant issued in a misdemeanor case is usually referred to as a failure to appear (FTA) warrant, while a bench warrant issued in a felony case is known as an alias capias. Misdemeanor bench warrants usually have bonds amounts that can range between hundreds and thousands of dollars, while felony bench warrants are often “No Bond” warrants.

Direct File Arrest Warrants

A direct file arrest warrant is a warrant issued when an alleged offender failed to appear in court after being issued a summons in a direct information case filed by the state attorney’s office. Direct file arrest warrants are most commonly issued in cases involving alleged driving under the influence (DUI) offenses, such as crashes in which law enforcement was still collecting evidence or waiting on results from blood draws.

Violation of Probation Warrants

Probation violation warrants are usually issued by judges after probation officers have filed violation affidavits with the court. Violations of probation can be either technical (infractions such as missing appointments with probation officers or leaving restricted jurisdictions without permission) or substantive (new arrests).

Out of County Warrants

When an alleged offender is arrested in one Florida county on a felony or misdemeanor warrant issued by another county, the arresting county will usually maintain custody for a certain number of days until the alleged offender can be extradited to the county that originally issued the warrant. An alleged offender could be released, however, if the original county fails to take custody within the certain number of days.

Out of State Warrants / Fugitive from Justice Warrants

Just as law enforcement agencies are authorized to arrest individuals based on warrants issued by other counties, they can also arrest people based on warrants issued by other states. Similar to the county process, alleged offenders typically remain in custody until they can be extradited to the original state but can be released if the original state fails to take custody within a specified amount of time.

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Resolving Gainesville Arrest Warrants

After an arrest warrant has been issued, the person named in the warrant has several ways of resolving the matter. If a warrant was improperly issued or was issued as the result of a person missing a court date because of extenuating circumstances, the alleged offender can file a petition to have the warrant withdrawn.

A Gainesville criminal defense lawyer can negotiate the terms of an alleged offender's surrender with law enforcement or appear in court on a "motion to surrender" to ask a judge to withdraw the warrant or grant a Release On Recognizance (ROR) bond so the alleged offender can be immediately released without posting bond. Every case is different, so some people may have options available to them that others do not.

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Florida Arrest Warrants Resources

Warrants Bureau | Alachua County Sheriff's Office — The Warrants Bureau is responsible for the services of all adult criminal summons issued in Alachua County. The agency encourages all people who think they may have active warrants or civil arrest orders to turn themselves in 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Alachua County Sheriff's Office Department of the Jail in Gainesville. Visit this section of the Alachua County Sheriff's Office website to learn more about the difference between a criminal summons and an arrest warrant.

Wanted Persons | Florida Crime Information Center — The Florida Crime Information Center is a database containing Florida warrant information as reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) by law enforcement agencies throughout the state and authorized for release to the public. The FDLE notes that this information is not to be used as a confirmation that any warrant is active, or as probable cause for an arrest, and should not be relied upon for any type of legal action. The FDLE recommends that people verify that a warrant is active with their local law enforcement agency or with the reporting agency.

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Galigani Law Firm | Gainesville Arrest Warrants Defense Lawyer

Do you know or think that you have an active warrant for your arrest? Contact Galigani Law Firm right now for help achieving the most favorable possible outcome to your case.

Dean Galigani is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Gainesville who represents individuals in Bradford County, Union County, Columbia County, Baker County, and several other communities in the greater Gainesville area. Call (352) 375-0812 or fill out an online contact form to have our lawyers provide a complete evaluation of your case during a free, confidential consultation.

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