Wondering if there’s a warrant out for your arrest is something that many of us Michigan residents have worried about at one time or another. It isn’t a good feeling, and it can add a lot of stress to life’s daily activities. Added to that is the confusion that comes from not really understanding how the arrest and justice process works. We’d like to help our readers by explaining exactly what it means to have a warrant out for your arrest, how you might be able check for yourself, and what to expect if you do!
What exactly is an arrest warrant in Michigan?
An arrest warrant is essentially a document issued and signed by a magistrate or judge, on behalf of the state of Michigan, which authorizes one of two things:
- It gives the police authority to arrest and detain someone for a crime they are suspected of committing
- It gives the police the right to perform a search and seizure of an individual’s property to look for evidence of a crime that they are suspected of committing.
For a judge to issue a warrant in Michigan, it must be supported by a sworn statement filed in court, which confirms that there is probable cause. It must also be backed by witnesses or other evidence that a crime has been committed by a specific person or group of people.
What does it mean to have a warrant out for your arrest?
If there is a warrant out for your arrest, it means that the police believe you were involved in committing a crime or that you have evidence of a crime. The crime in question could be either a misdemeanor or a felony. Once a warrant has been issued, you can be arrested at any time and in any place. That means that you can also be arrested is states other than Michigan based on a Michigan arrest warrant.
Types of Michigan warrants:
There are several types of arrest warrants in Michigan. Here is a breakdown of the three most common types:
Telephone warrant:
A telephone warrant is an arrest order that’s obtained over the phone. This is done when the warrant request cannot be filed by any means that doesn’t involve a personal court appearance. However, just because the warrant is obtained over the phone, doesn’t mean testimony doesn’t have to be given under oath to a judge or magistrate.
The person testifying must be identified, and the testimony must be electronically recorded by a judge, or peace officer in the custody of the judge, for it to be valid and legal. Also, the recording has to include the time and date it was recorded. Any search warrant issued by telephone in Michigan must be signed by the issuing judge as soon as possible after being issued. Typically, a police officer would be able to phone the “on call” judge or magistrate at night or on weekends or holidays, to ask for a warrant.
John Doe warrant:
A John Doe warrant is issued when police don’t know the identity of the person who committed the crime. All they have is a physical description of the suspect, or a DNA profile. Using these, officers investigate to determine who the specific suspect is. Once they think they know the suspect’s identity, they can make an immediate arrest.
Is there a warrant out for your arrest in Michigan?
Believe it or not, the sooner you have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, the better your chances of a positive outcome in your case. Even if you haven’t been arrested yet, we can help you in significant ways!
The experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Kronzek Firm have spend decades helping people from all over Michigan, and we know how important it is to get an early start on building a defense if you want to be successful! So if there’s a warrant out for your arrest, or you suspect the police may be investigating you or a loved one, call us immediately at 866 766 5245 (866 7No Jail). We are available to hire for emergencies and crisis intervention. We have helped countless people all over Michigan, and we’re ready to help you too!