I've had a warrant since Summer of 2005. I want to know If I'll go to jail or just pay a fine?

Question

In November 2004 I got into a fight. I got arrested, but it was my first offense, paid $40 and they let me go. Went to court next day and they gave me 6 months probation. While still on probation In March 2005 I made another mistake by pumping $30 of gas and taking off, but they got my plates and I was summons to court again. The court extended my probation 3 to 6 more months I think and I paid a $250 fine. They gave me another court date for summer 2005 but I didn't go because I didn't have a ride anymore and I didn't want to spend $80 round trip for a taxi because this happened in another town and I just pretended like they were just gonna forget about since I had already paid the $250 fine. Anyway time passed and a month ago I got a letter from my disability telling me there was a "warrant match" and that I had to resolve this matter or I won't be eligible. That's how I found out about the warrant! If they pull me over will I go to prison? I mean it's only 2 misdemeanors? :-(

I'm in Mass.

Answer 1

you will go to jail on a warrant, the warrant is probably for failure to appear (FTA) which means that you can not bond out of jail until they decide to take you to court now if you turn yourself in then they are morel likely to take you right to court so this mater can be resolved, i have worked in law enforcement for the last 14 years the best thing to do is get it taken care of asap, turn yourself in early in the week Monday, Tuesday then you will be able to go to court maybe the same day you wait till Friday or the weekend you WILL sit in jail all weekend, and for further informantion it is NOT a Felony Unless you Commited a Felony

Answer 2

You can be arrested and charged with violation of probation and if the original offense had a jail term attached to it, you may have to serve that time and then some for the violation. You need to hire a good criminal defense attorney who may be able to iron this out. He may be able to work out some kind of deal like a "walk through" arrest where you turn yourself in at the jail, they book you in and then just release you immediately. You really do need an attorney to work on this for you, you can't do it yourself. If you are pro-active about getting it taken care of they will most likely just extend your probation. If you get lucky and they do, this time you'd better comply. If you wait for them to catch you the penalty will be worse. It will hang over your head for the rest of your life if you do nothing. It will surely show up on any background check that a prospective employer might do. It can also affect what financing you can get for college tuition. Also, don't go to the DMV to renew your driver's license or anything like that. You will likely be arrested on the spot. With a warrant out on you when you least expect to be arrested, expect it... As much as you and God might think you're innocent, legally you're not. You have been found guilty in a court of law. I'm sure the judge never heard that "it wasn't mine, it was a friend's" story before and I can't believe it didn't work for you...

Answer 3

Yeah man, you need to take responsiblity for your life--and fast. Don't blame the system bc you ****** up, and you know it. Maybe some of these other people are really blunt, but they are completely right. The "mistakes," you made were very dumb, selfish ones, and now you have to pay the consequences. Go serve the warrant, do your time, come out, and you'll be a better and more wise person for it. Misdemeanors are still crimes, and crimes shouldn't be committed under any circumstances, unless someone is trying to kill you and you have to kill them first. You can't ignore the courts. They won't forget. I've never committed a crime, but I did once "forget" to pay 7 traffic tickets." They came for me, and they'll come for you too, so pull your head out of your ***, step up and be a man, do whatcha gotta do, and stop screwing up so bad. I don't care if you are 16 or 26 or 36. There's no reason to keep ******* around with your life the way you are right now.

Answer 4

The original crimes were misdemeanors but skipping out on a court appearance might not be. In California FTA is a felony and I'm pretty sure it is in most states. It might even be a Federal law but I'm not sure. You need to get that taken care of or it's going to haunt you dude.

Answer 5

I dont know but you could call alawyer out of the phone book who does free consultations and ask they will be the most help

Turning yourself in is a good idea they usually apreciate it when you are responsible enough to do the right thing

If you get pulled over you will get arrested but if you get pulled over dont run just deal with it by keeping shut my neighbor is a defense lawyer and he said if you ever get arrested sayNOT ONE WORD exept I WANT A LAWYER if you cant afford on they have to get you one for free because you have that right cuz the constitution gave it to you

Answer 6

Good night! If driving off with a full tank of gas without paying for it is viewed by you as merely a "mistake", and not showing up for your court date is justified by you because you say you couldn't get a ride, and the fight that you started, you sanitize by saying "I got into a fight"; you are one deluded irresponsible person with a thousand excuses for skating by. Life is grabbing you by the throat and warning you big time to straighten up. Time you pay attention.

Answer 7

Depends on your state, but in ours, not showing up for a court date translates into a warrant classified as "Failure to Appear", and FTA is an automatic felony. Could be different elsewhere though.

Answer 8

you won't go to prison. Get a ride to the police station, find out whats going on. bring the receipt for the last fine with you. tell them,you didn't have a ride or the money for a taxi at that time,also that your on disability. It may not even be you the warrent is for, their not all dic__.

Answer 9

If you turn yourself in it looks better on you then making them come and get you. I know that in my state you will get arrested then have to go in front of the judge the next day then they will decide if the States Attorney wants to agree to set a bond or schudule another court date and make you sit until your next court date

Answer 10

Serve the warrant. Take responsibility. Grow up.