Warrants & Bonding

The Gilligan Law Firm can lift Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are issued after a defendant fails to pay an agreed amount set by the court, misses a court appearance, or shows up late to a scheduled court appearance. Many citizens understandably feel pressured to give up as the full weight of the legal system is hoisted down upon them. This feeling can be compounded when the court issues a warrant for their arrest for a missed court appearance. Often, citizens simply throw in the towel and pay the fines, either because they do not know what else can be done or because they are scared of angering the court. Many times a combination of fear and misinformation given by government agencies, such as DPS and court personnel, lead these citizens to pay the fines and plead guilty to violations for which they were innocent. We have received many first hand accounts from our clients who were told that if they didn't pay the fines they would be arrested or prohibited from having there license renewed or reinstated. This is simply not true.

Unfortunately, once these fines are paid and the convictions have appeared on the citizen's record, there is little that can be done. The law rewards the State of Texas by allowing a surcharge to be levied on the individual's driver's license for certain offenses such as lack of insurance and driver's license. Even if the citizen had insurance the State will surcharge them over $750 on top of the fine! So, it becomes apparent even to the casual observer that it is in the court's best interest as well as the State's to encourage the payment of fines through the use of arrest warrants.

This can create a familiar downward spiral. The citizen pays the fines to avoid the warrant, but is then assessed points and surcharges for having paid those fines. As a result the citizen may then receive a suspension for amassing too many points. If he is then pulled over while driving with an invalid license, he could receive another year long suspension. At this point, even if he successfully contests the suspension, he may still be required to pay a reinstatement fee. This situation is not uncommon. We see this occur regularly. It is important to hire an experienced traffic attorney who can lift warrants and steer you through these pitfalls.

In order to avoid becoming a victim of this process, an experienced attorney should be hired who is able to post bonds and remove arrest warrants. There are two main advantages to posting bonds that our clients receive. First, the arrest warrant is lifted and our clients are able to live fear free while we fight the case. Second, the client retains the right to fight the case and keep it off of their driving record. In the end they avoid being victimized by the system.

We first post bonds and have the warrants removed. Once the warrants are lifted and the delinquency is cleared, we then set the cases back on the court's docket. Finally, we represent the client in court and put our resources to work to try to have the cases dismissed.

However, it is important to know that not every warrant is bondable. Missed court appearances and late court appearances are generally always bondable. The warrants can be lifted and the client given a second chance. But, if an agreement was made to pay a fine or take a defensive driving course and the fine was not paid or the course not completed, then a capias pro fine may be entered along with a warrant for arrest. This type of warrant is issued in order to compel the individual to resolve his outstanding cases and is generally not bondable.

It is important to consult a knowledgeable Traffic Warrant Lawyer Houston in order to find out whether a bond can be posted and the warrants lifted.

Please contact the Gilligan Law Firm to schedule a consultation at (713) 529-9200