Massachusetts law enforcement recently added an accused child rapist to the state’s Most Wanted list. The suspect is accused of committing multiple sexual assaults against a child who was under the age of 10.
In 2013, after an investigation by Leominster law enforcement, a warrant was issued charging the individual with the rape of a child. The suspect is then reported to have fled the area and remained at large.
There are two types of “body” warrants in Massachusetts — arrest and bench warrants. Both of these warrants are capable of being used as legal tools to bring a person into custody. The following takes a brief look at the difference between these two warrants and offers some advice about what to do if a warrant is issued for your arrest.
The Difference Between These Two Warrants
Arrest warrants are most often requested by courts of law in combination with the district attorney’s office when law enforcement has probable cause that a criminal offense was committed by the individual named in the warrant.
Bench warrants, however, are connected to some type of court-related offense like failure to appear before the court following a summon. If you fail to appear in court, a judge might issue a warrant and enter it into a database informing law enforcement that they have the ability to arrest you for this violation.
The primary difference between arrest and bench warrants is that law enforcement is much more likely to locate a person if an arrest warrant is issued.
How to Respond if a Warrant is Issued for Your Arrest
There are only a few ways to respond if a warrant is issued for your arrest. Some of the steps that you should take include:
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Make sure that there is actually a warrant issued for your arrest before deciding what to do.
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Realize that trying to not think about the warrant will not make it go away
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Do not run because this will only result in additional charges being brought against you
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Avoid traveling because security personnel likely has access to a warrant database
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Do not hesitate to obtain the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney, particularly before you decide to turn yourself in to law enforcement
How to Determine if a Warrant is Issued for Your Arrest
To determine if a warrant in Massachusetts has been issued for your arrest, it is possible to pay to obtain a copy of your criminal offense report. This document can be obtained online or through writing. If you retain the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney, the lawyer will be able to make a determination for you about the types of warrants that have been issued in your name.
Speak with an Experienced Criminal Defense
Having a warrant issued for your arrest can be frightening. If you need assistance navigating this situation, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Contact attorney Edward Molari today to schedule a free initial consultation.