Massachusetts Legal Developments Blog

Responding to Massachusetts Arrest Warrants

A law enforcement officer in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts was recently injured during a traffic stop after a vehicle he pulled over was placed in reverse and backed up into him. The driver of the vehicle was ultimately arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, malicious destruction of property, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

At the time of the stop, two other passengers were inside of the vehicle and one of these individuals was discovered to have multiple arrest warrants. Subsequently, this person was arrested, as well, and held on warrants for drug possession and larceny.

Navigating the criminal justice system in Massachusetts can be complicated. If there is a warrant out for your arrest, you might feel the temptation to ignore the warrant altogether in the hopes that if you forget about it long enough, law enforcement will, too. In reality, arrest warrants can lead to some particularly serious charges, which is why people who have warrants out for their arrest should understand the following important details:

How Massachusetts Arrest Warrants are Obtained

To obtain an arrest warrant, law enforcement will submit an affidavit to a judge or magistrate. This affidavit will list enough information to establish probable cause about a person’s involvement with the commission of a crime. An affidavit must contain enough specific information to link a specific person to the offense. This arrest warrant will allow a person to be arrested wherever law enforcement happens to find the individual.

Defenses to Arrest Warrants

There are a number of ways in which arrest warrants can be incorrectly written. In cases of identity theft, arrest warrants are sometimes issued for individuals even if the person did not commit a crime. In other situations, arrest warrants can contain incorrect information due to a mistake in the facts. While law enforcement is required to show an arrest warrant in most situations before a person’s arrest, in some cases, they do not, which means that a person might end up being falsely arrested.

What to do if an Arrest Warrant is in Your Name

If a warrant is is issued for your arrest, there are several important things that you should understand:

  • A warrant must be issued by a judge and law enforcement will be required to honor it if they find you

  • Performing an online search can help you determine if an active warrant exists in your name

  • Speaking to a skilled attorney as soon as you discover an arrest warrant exists in your name can help you create a strong legal defense in response

Speak with a Skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer

If an arrest warrant has been issued for you or a loved one, it is important to act as soon as possible and contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Attorney Edward R Molari has helped numerous people in Massachusetts respond to these warrants. Schedule an initial free consultation with attorney Molari today so he can begin fighting for the results you deserve.