Bench Warrant Lawyer in Riverside, Corona and Moreno Valley
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A warrant for a missed court date does not go away on its own. It stays in the system until a judge recalls it or you are arrested on it, and that arrest can happen at a routine traffic stop anywhere in California. The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, A.P.C. helps people in Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, Norco, Eastvale and Perris deal with warrants out of Riverside County Superior Court, and you can start the process with a phone call.
What kind of warrant do you have?
- A bench warrant is issued by a judge when someone misses a required court date, does not pay a fine, or does not complete a court order such as classes or community service (Penal Code 978.5).
- An arrest warrant is issued when a prosecutor files a case and asks the court to order an arrest before the person has been to court.
- A probation violation warrant is issued when the court believes probation terms were not followed.
The type of warrant, the underlying charge, and whether the case is a misdemeanor or felony shape what can be done and how fast. Missing court can also lead to a separate charge for failure to appear, such as Penal Code 853.7 after a citation, Penal Code 1320 after release on your own recognizance, or Vehicle Code 40508 on a traffic matter.
How a warrant is usually handled in Riverside County
For people in the city of Riverside and nearby cities, many criminal cases are heard at the Riverside Hall of Justice, 4100 Main Street, Riverside. Cases from Corona, Moreno Valley and Perris can be assigned to other Riverside County courthouses, and your citation, bail papers or court notice name the courthouse for your case. Warrant matters are usually addressed by asking the court to put the case back on calendar so a judge can consider recalling the warrant.
For many misdemeanors, an attorney can appear for you under Penal Code 977 with your written authorization. That means your lawyer may be able to ask the judge to recall the warrant and set a new court date without you being there, though the judge can require you to appear. Felony cases generally require the defendant to be present for key hearings, including arraignment (Penal Code 977(b)). In those cases, we can plan a supervised appearance in court rather than leaving the warrant to be served at a traffic stop or at home.
At the hearing, the judge may recall the warrant and release you on your own recognizance, set or change bail, or take other steps. What happens depends on the charge, your history, how long the warrant has been out, and the reason you missed court. We cannot promise that a warrant will be recalled without custody, but having a lawyer present a plan and the reason for the missed date often changes how the hearing goes.
Why acting now matters
- A warrant can show up on routine police checks anywhere in California, not only in Riverside County.
- Some background checks for jobs and housing can show an open case or warrant.
- An unresolved traffic warrant can also cause problems with your driver’s license.
- A failure-to-appear charge, if filed, adds to the original case.
What to do before you call
Gather what you have: the citation or court paperwork, the case number if you know it, and the date you missed. You can look up many Riverside County cases on the Superior Court’s public case search (Public Access on the court’s website). Do not go to the courthouse alone to ‘clear it up’ without a plan. Some people are taken into custody at the courthouse on an active warrant.
Handled by phone
Call, tell us about the warrant and the original case, and sign your fee agreement from your phone. We confirm what the court has on file, explain your options in plain terms, and then appear on your behalf or with you, depending on the case.
Frequently asked questions
Can a lawyer clear my bench warrant in Riverside without me going to court?
For many misdemeanors, an attorney can appear for you under Penal Code 977 and ask the judge to recall the warrant. Felonies generally require you to be present. The judge decides in each case.
Will I be arrested if I go to the Riverside Hall of Justice with a warrant?
It is possible. That is why it helps to have a lawyer calendar the case and appear with you or for you instead of walking in alone.
How do I find out if I have a warrant in Riverside County?
You can search many cases on the Riverside Superior Court’s public case portal, or call us and we can check what the court has on file.
Is missing court a new crime?
It can be. Depending on how you were released, failing to appear can be charged under Penal Code 853.7, 1320 or 1320.5, or Vehicle Code 40508 for traffic matters.
Does a warrant expire?
No. A bench warrant generally stays active until a judge recalls it or it is served.
Have a warrant out of Riverside County? Call (855) 636-0550 for a free phone consultation. We will tell you what can be done and how fast, and you can hire us by phone.
Related pages
Attorney Advertising. NotGuilty.com is a website of The United Firm | La Liga Defensora, A.P.C., 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Attorney responsible for this page: Shawn F. Matian (Cal. Bar No. 244148). The domain name is not a promise or prediction of any result. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
