Could you possibly have a warrant hanging out there that you are totally unaware of for something as minor as a traffic ticket? In a word--yes. If you have forgotten to take care of a misdemeanor traffic ticket, and especially if you have changed addresses and perhaps didn't receive all your mail, there could very possibly be a warrant for your arrest. If you do not take care of the situation immediately, you may find yourself being arrested, either at work or at your home, or during a routine traffic stop.
Who Do I Call?
If you believe you could have a warrant for a misdemeanor traffic ticket, you must take steps to prevent being arrested and embarrassed either at work or in front of your family. You should call either the sheriff's office or the county clerk in the county where you received your traffic ticket(s) and ask first if there has been a warrant issued for you. You will be asked for your name, social security and driver's license number. Ask if you have a bond warrant, and how much it is.
If the helpful employee on the other end of the phone asks for your physical address--beware! This could mean that as soon as you hang up the phone they will have an officer on his way to arrest you. If asked for your physical address, politely say thank you and hang up. Then, either pick up the phone and call an experienced criminal attorney, or head down to the courthouse to try and extract yourself from this situation.
What Will Happen Next?
If you hire an attorney he will ask the judge to quash the bench warrant, or cancel it, then you and he will go through the procedures necessary step-by-step. If you decide to go it alone, you will first go to the ATM and get enough money for your bond, take care of anything that needs immediate attention, then go down to the courthouse and turn yourself in. Be warned that this will not be a pleasant experience and you may even have to stay in jail for a night (or more). You will go before a judge and explain your plight. Be polite and try not to make excuses, get sullen or angry--the judge is in control of your future right now.
If you are very lucky, you will be able to pay your bond, pay your fines, the judge will dismiss your bench warrant and you can go home. If you are not so lucky, you will spend time in jail. Again, it will probably benefit you greatly to hire an attorney should you find yourself in the position of having a bench warrant for a misdemeanor traffic ticket.
