Warrants

The Napa County Sheriff's Office can tell you if there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest. They can be reached at 707-253-4209.

If There is a Warrant for Your Arrest

If you are currently represented by an attorney, inform him or her immediately. The attorney can place you on the court's calendar to clear it up. It is far better to do that than to take chances on being arrested on the warrant and then jailed.

It would also be helpful to be able to explain why you failed to appear in court. If there is any written record (such as a letter from your doctor or your employer) which may help to explain your absence, the judge might consider giving you another chance rather than putting you into custody.

Court

There are several possibilities once you appear in court. You can usually resolve the matter that day if it is a minor one. You can also set the matter for further court proceedings. The court will then recall the warrant, set future dates, and either release you on your "own recognizance" or set bail. If bail is set you will remain in custody until a bond is posted. It is better to work with your Deputy Public Defender to deal with a bench warrant than to ignore the warrant and take your chances on being arrested and jailed.

Perhaps the best way to think of the consequences of failing to appear in court is that when you fail to show up for a scheduled court date, this is often interpreted by the court as your showing disrespect for the judge, the court and the entire legal process. Show up in court on the right day and at the right time, and everything will go much smoother for you in court.

Disclaimer

This site is meant to provide information of a general nature which you should verify with an attorney before relying upon it. It does not provide legal advice and is not meant to establish an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice you should ALWAYS contact an attorney.