Having an outstanding warrant issued for arrest can be one of the most stressful experiences a person can ever have. It means going through life with the threat of jail time always lurking in the background.
What makes this situation worse is that there are so many types of warrants that can be issued. This can make things very confusing for the offender. However, whatever the warrant may be, having a good attorney with experience handling such cases is essential.
In the case of a blue warrant, it can easily bring back past offenses that the offender thought they had already been punished for.
Goss Law is ready to fight for the rights of Sacramento residents issued with a blue warrant. Its experienced legal team is waiting to take the case today that can also explain situations like how long do you have to turn yourself in after a warrant in CA?
What Is a Blue Warrant?
A blue warrant is a directive that calls for the immediate arrest of the offender who happens to be a parolee found in violation of their parole agreement.
The name comes from the blue paper that this warrant is traditionally wrapped in. Once the offender is spotted by police officers, they will determine if there is some type of arrest warrant issued for them.
They will then be taken into custody with the possibility of being immediately sent back to a Los Angeles County jail or other correctional facility in California.
Types of Warrants Issued in California
Before discussing blue warrants further, it is important to understand that in California, many types of warrants may be issued against an offender. Here are some of them:
Arrest Warrant
Arrest warrants list the name(s) of a person/people who must be arrested on suspicion of committing a crime. It is executed by the police and is only valid if it is signed by a judge.
Once the arrest has been made, the suspect is usually charged with whatever crime is listed on the arrest warrant and taken into custody.
Bench Warrant
Bench warrants are so-called because they are issued directly from the judge presiding over the offender's case. They are usually not as serious as arrest warrants in terms of severe consequences.
In most cases, bench warrants are issued for infractions that occur while the court case is being tried. They can be issued for things such as failing to appear on the required court date or being found in contempt of court for not adhering to orders given by the judge.
Search Warrant
Search warrants are different because they do not call for the arrest of an individual but rather for the seizure and searching of their property. This can include the offender's home, car, bags, pockets, or even their cell phones.
Just like an arrest warrant, police also require a judge's signature before they can search someone's private property.
Ramey Warrant
In many ways, arrest warrants are very similar to Ramey warrants in that they result in the suspect being taken into custody by the police, and a judge's signature is required.
However, one key difference is that with Ramey warrants, the District Attorney is intentionally bypassed, meaning no formal charges have to be made against the suspect when police arrest them.
Some reasons for this include police wanting to arrest someone on weekends or believing that the suspect will continue to commit crimes if not arrested immediately.
Blue Warrants Vs Arrest Warrants: Key Differences
There are some key differences between blue warrants and arrest warrants that defendants need to know, such as:
An arrest warrant is signed by the judge, while blue warrants are authorized by the parole officer.
Anyone can be issued an arrest warrant, but only parolees and those on probation receive blue warrants.
In the case of a blue warrant, the offender's violation may result in a previous punishment being reinstated, while those brought into custody through an arrest warrant may be first-time offenders.
Can a Blue Warrant Eventually Expire?
Simply put, all warrants will remain valid until the suspect is arrested, the property is searched, or the warrant is canceled as part of the legal process. They do not expire no matter how long the target evades capture.
This means even a simple bench warrant for failure to appear in court can result in an individual being arrested many years later. As such, it is best to hire our criminal lawyer in Sacramento to ensure that such matters are completely closed.
Consequences of Violating Parole/Probation in California
After a parole officer issues a blue warrant and the parolee is arrested, the next step is usually a revocation hearing. Here, the offender will be charged with violating the terms of their probation, and the previously suspended sentence may be reinstated.
Steps to Take after Being Issued a Blue Warrant
As soon as a parolee learns that they have been issued a blue warrant, they need to start thinking about legal representation long before the revocation hearing comes along.
This is because the consequences of violating their probation agreement can be quite severe. A crime that was punished by community service before, for example, may now result in significant jail time.
However, a good lawyer will make sure the rights of the parolee are upheld. These include the right to have legal representation and present evidence or arguments. With a good criminal defense attorney, the lawfulness of the blue warrant may be challenged. They can also answer questions like what is a bench warrant in CA? The defendant, therefore, has hope of avoiding jail time.
The Right Criminal Law Attorney Can Win the Case
It takes a special legal team to win cases other attorneys would have given up on. That is the kind of reputation Goss Law has cultivated in Sacramento, CA.
No matter the kind of warrant that has been issued, this law firm has what it takes to fight for the rights of its clients.
Parolees who have been issued a blue warrant can call and set up a free case evaluation.
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