A warrant is an order by a judge or magistrate to take into custody a person charged with an offense. It is issued upon a showing of probable cause supported by oath or affirmation. The court must state the charge or crimes for which the person is wanted and the name of the accused. The order must direct a law-enforcement officer to arrest the accused without unnecessary delay and bring him before a judicial official to answer the charges made against him.
A judge can issue a warrant in response to a complaint or on the basis of one or more affidavits filed with the complaint. The judge must deliver the warrant or summons to a person authorized to execute it or serve it. A warrant may be served by any officer of the courts, a sheriff or marshal, or other person authorized to do so.
After the warrant is issued, it enters into national and state-level databases that police officers can access and act on. This means that individuals with outstanding warrants could be arrested and taken into custody at any time, even if they are not aware of the fact that there is a warrant for their arrest.
If you have a warrant out for your arrest, it is important to consult with an attorney right away. Your attorney can help you build a strong defense against the charges, including creating reasonable doubt. This can be done by arguing mistaken identity or showing that any actions you took did not amount to the crime being charged against you.
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