How Do You Know If There is a Federal Warrant for Your Arrest? 2024

When a federal investigative agency like the FBI, ATF, or DEA has built up a significant case against you and decides the time has come to arrest you, they will issue a federal arrest warrant. Once the warrant has been issued, federal marshals will be ordered to find and arrest you. You may not be aware you have a warrant until you are confronted by federal agents. How do you know if there is a federal warrant for your arrest? There are several ways to find out.

Knowing If There Is a Federal Arrest Warrant

Most of the time, you will not know that there is a federal warrant for your arrest. When a federal warrant is issued, a suspect could attempt to flee if they are tipped off. If, however, you are not deemed a flight risk, you may be able to find out ahead of time if you have a warrant out for your arrest and begin getting ahead of it. Here are three ways to find out if you have an outstanding federal warrant:

• You receive a letter from the federal court notifying you that you currently have an outstanding warrant.
• Someone close to you is arrested or notified by the U.S. marshals of your outstanding warrant.
• You are not at home when the marshals arrive to arrest you.

If you become aware that there is a warrant out for your arrest, you should seek the help of a federal criminal defense attorney who can help you navigate your next steps. This could mean turning yourself in to confront the charges and begin your defense process.

Steps If You Have an Outstanding Warrant

Upon learning that you have a federal warrant out for your arrest, your first instinct may be to panic. It is vital to your case that you stay calm. Panicking does not help your cause and could only make things worse. People tend to act on emotions when they panic, and remaining calm can help you think logically. The moment you find out about the warrant, there are several important steps you can take to make sure you get ahead of it. These steps include:

• Contact a lawyer. The very first thing you should do upon learning of a warrant is reach out to a criminal defense lawyer. A lawyer can advise you on the appropriate course of action to take and how to handle this alarming revelation. Your lawyer can help you figure out if you should turn yourself in or wait for the marshals to come to you.
• Arrange surrender. Your lawyer will likely advise you to reach out to the marshals and arrange a surrender. Turning yourself in may help your case down the road. It shows you are willing to negotiate and understand how serious your situation may be.
• Schedule a hearing. Your lawyer can help you arrange a hearing with the U.S. Attorney. By turning yourself in, you are likely to spend less time in custody and will likely have the earliest opportunity to argue for bail.
• Negotiate with prosecutors. Your lawyer can help you negotiate a plea deal or even help you dismiss some of the charges in exchange for certain concessions. It is important that you cooperate throughout this process, as your conduct during this time can impact the case against you.

Following these steps and the guidance of your attorney won’t make the warrant go away, but it will help you gain control of the situation to better navigate the legal system.

FAQs

How Is a Federal Arrest Warrant Issued?

A federal arrest warrant is issued by a federal agency when they have built a significant case against a suspect and wish to arrest them formally. The agency presents its evidence before a judge. The judge reviews the evidence and decides whether to issue the warrant based on the strength of that evidence. United States marshals are then sent to apprehend the suspect. The warrant will list out the specific crimes the suspect is believed to have committed.

How Can I Check if I Have a Federal Warrant in the USA?

You cannot check to see if you have a federal warrant. There is no database in which You can search to find out if you have a warrant. You may be able to call a federal agency directly and ask them if you have a warrant in their system. Depending on your case, however, they may not be willing to provide that information. If you feel you may have a warrant for your arrest, you should speak with an attorney.

What Does a Federal Arrest Mean?

A federal arrest means that you are formally apprehended by a federal agency after committing a federal crime. After a thorough investigation, the federal agency handling your case will bring a warrant before a judge to arrest you and place you in federal custody. Federal crimes tend to be considerably more serious than state crimes and could result in serious penalties that will affect the rest of your life.

Can Local Police See Federal Warrants?

Local police can see federal warrants thanks to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The NCIC is a digital database that law enforcement agencies across the nation can utilize, including local police departments. Local police are also authorized to arrest anyone with a federal warrant if they come across a suspect. The warrant remains outstanding until someone from a law enforcement agency apprehends the suspect.

Contact Our Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer

Finding out you have an outstanding federal warrant can be a real shock. You may be feeling overwhelmed, confused, scared, and angry. At The Law Offices of Richard Kuniansky, we can help you understand the next steps regarding your outstanding federal warrant. We can help you coordinate with federal marshals, represent your interests in court, and ensure you are not taken advantage of by federal agencies. Contact us to schedule a consultation.