Orland, CA asked in Criminal Law for California

Q: during a traffic stop i found out I had a felony warrant back in 2015 . i didnt even kno i had charges on me.

after my arrest I checked my record & it shows that the DA filed a case on me based on this old man sayin I stole his checks when he didnt remember payin me for cleaning. he has since passed away. anyways I have lived in the same house same small town for 20 plus years. ive been on probation in the past i even worked at a local restraint & waited on the local cops for the last 2 year's i had no idea i had this warrant . i got arrested & had to post bail. i even lost a really good job i got because i didn't pass the back ground check due to this warrant .my question is how or what should i do to prepare for court & is them arresting me on something i didn't even kno about even legal?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue.

Initially, you should set up an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself.

You can go to my website to review my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances & publications.

This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.

However, you are always best advised to retain a LOCAL lawyer in case you are charged or arrested. In other words, you do not hire an LA lawyer for a case in Palm Springs or OC and visa versa....and if you cannot afford a lawyer the court will appoint one for you.

If there was an underlying case, then the lawyer who handled the underlying case would be in the best position to understand all the facts and advise you intelligently.

It's also important to not talk about this case to anyone except your attorney. Please remember anything you say herein, is discoverable and can and will be used against you.

The problem with talking to the police, or an insurance adjuster on an accident case, is that they often misunderstand what you said or they do not write down everything.

Often it is what THEY THOUGHT THEY HEARD YOU SAY that hurts you. You never want to admit to anything.

You should consider retaining a lawyer and then remain quiet and let the lawyer be the strawman and take the heat.

In other words, you would be happy to talk to the police, but your lawyer has ordered you “not to talk without his permission”.

You then suggest they talk to your lawyer for permission for you to talk with them.

I never let my clients talk to anyone.

Dale Gribow

Attorney at Law

“TOP LAWYER” Palm Springs Life 2011-19

“TOP LAWYER” Inland Empire Magazine 2016-19

73-061 El Paseo, Suite 220

Palm Desert, CA 92260

Office - 760-837-7500

Fax - 760 837-7502

Dale@DaleGribowLaw.com

www.DaleGribowLaw.com

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
Answered
  • New York, NY
  • Licensed in California

A: Since you say you have lived in the same house for 20 years, I wonder why you never learned that you had a warrant for your arrest. This should be investigated by your attorney to determine whether you were properly served with the criminal complaint. Have you been charged with a Failure to Appear, as well? Your lawyer may need to walk you into Court to address the warrant and any related charges, giving you the opportunity to defend yourself via proper legal process. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my law practice website, www.AliEsq.com. I practice law in CA, NY, MA, WA, and DC in the following areas of law: Business & Contracts, Criminal Defense, Divorce & Child Custody, and Education Law. This answer does not constitute legal advice; make any predictions, guarantees, or warranties; or create any Attorney-Client relationship.

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