Detroit, MI asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Michigan

Q: What to do about court fines and warrents.

I got in trouble with the law 6 years ago. I did not pay those court fines. Due to not being able to. Now I have a greatjob that pays me really well. I would like to pay them off however I have a warrant for my arrest because of those fines. Right now at my job we are on mandatory 7 days if I miss a day I get fired. But now it's come to a point in my life where I need to handle this to move forward.

1 Lawyer Answer
Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Bloomfield Hills, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: Not enough information. I don't know whether you are talking about traffic fines, misdemeanor fines, and costs, or felony. I don't know your prior history, whether you have a long record of cases and failure to appear. Many factors enter the equation. Don't mess around. Hire an attorney and make a plan.

You'll need to contact each court(s) where you have had a case. Find out if there is a bench warrant to find out how much is owed. Pay all fines, costs, and restitution before you go to court. You may want your attorney or a family member do this. Get a receipt.

Your attorney will want to schedule a time for you to appear in court to be arraigned on the bench warrants. Talk to your employer, you should take vacation/personal time for that day. Go to court at the time it sets or on the date and time they do arraignments on bench warrants. Take proof that all fines, costs, and restitution have been paid in full. The Court may take you into custody but it should set bail. You'll need enough cash to post it or you should talk to a bail bondsman and make a plan to have the bondsman ready to post bail the same day or take enough cash to pay your bail $5,000.00 minimum.

Don't do it without first consulting an attorney.

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