Let’s continue with more commonly asked questions by clients. Want to read Part 1, link here.
Frequently Asked DUI Questions and More – Part 2
Q. I was arrested and charged with a crime, yet I haven’t received a court date in the mail, what does this mean?
A. There are a few possible answers to this question; 1) The city, county, or state is still processing the charge and your case will be filed at a later date. Once filed they will mail you your court date. They have up to 2 years to do this. 2) The city, county, or state did mail your court date notice but they did not have your current address. If you miss your first court date, the judge may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. Make sure the city, county, or state, and the department of licensing has your correct mailing address.
Q. What is an arraignment?
A. The first appearance in court is called the “arraignment” or “arraignment hearing.” At this hearing the individual charged with a crime will be formally told of the crime(s) he or she is accused of and will be advised of their rights. Additionally, the judge will want to hear the individual plead guilty or not guilty. I strongly encourage every client to plead not guilty at the arraignment hearing.
Q. I just found out I have a bench warrant out for my arrest, what do I do?
A. If you have a bench warrant out for your arrest, you must have missed a court date or failed to comply with court orders. Contact me right away so I can make a motion to quash your bench warrant. When a warrant is quashed it means it has been overturned and no longer in effect. Generally a judge will quash a bench warrant if you have a valid reason for violating the court order. If you choose to ignore the bench warrant, it will continue to be in effect and at anytime you could be arrested and taken into custody.
Q. Why should I hire David O Defense for legal representation?
A. I know I am among the top criminal defense lawyers in this state. What sets me apart from the other top criminal defense attorneys is my focus and attention to my clients as a whole. I truly care about my clients and their case outcomes. I will work harder to achieve the best possible outcome. Additionally, I make myself available to my clients 24/7 by phone, text, or email, and am willing to travel to my clients if needed. Lastly, we allow for flexible payment plans to be budget friendly.
Have more questions, no problem, give me a call or send me an email, I would be happy to answer them 206-459-6392 or david@davidodefense.com.
