Arrest Warrant Lawyer in New Orleans

Think you have a warrant? Here is what to do first

Call a criminal defense lawyer before you do anything else. Do not call the police to ask about it, and do not walk into a sheriff's office alone to check. Either one can end with you in handcuffs on the spot, with no plan and no bond ready.

Here is a simple order of steps:

1. Call a lawyer. Tell them what you know: the parish, any paperwork, any calls from officers, and any court date you may have missed.
2. Let the lawyer confirm the warrant. We can find out whether a warrant exists, what it is for and whether a bond is already set.
3. Make a surrender plan. Pick a day and time with your lawyer, line up bond money, and arrange childcare and work.
4. Do not talk about the case with police, friends or on social media.

You can reach us 24 hours a day at (504) 905-8399. The consultation is free and confidential.

What kind of warrant could I have?

There are a few common types of warrants, and each one calls for a different plan.

• Arrest warrant for a new charge. A judge has found probable cause that you committed a crime, often after a police investigation or a complaint. You will be booked and the case will move forward.
• Bench warrant (also called an attachment). A judge issued it because you missed a court date, often in a case you already have. Sometimes a lawyer can ask the court to recall it.
• Probation violation warrant. Your probation officer or the State says you broke a condition of probation. See our page on probation violations.
• Traffic-related warrant. Missing court on a traffic ticket can lead to a bench warrant and a license suspension.

Knowing which kind you have, and what bond if any is attached, is the first thing we find out.

Why call a lawyer before turning yourself in?

Calling a lawyer first gives you control over timing, money and what you say. Without a plan, a simple surrender can turn into days in jail.

• Timing matters. Louisiana requires a first appearance before a judge within 72 hours, but weekends and legal holidays do not count. Surrendering on a Friday afternoon can mean waiting much longer than surrendering on a Monday morning.
• Bond can be ready. If a bond amount is already set, you can arrange it before you go in, so release can happen faster.
• Your words are protected. Officers may try to ask questions during booking. Your lawyer will make sure you know not to answer them.
• It looks better to the judge. Coming in voluntarily, with counsel, shows the court you take the case seriously and are not a flight risk. That can help at a bond hearing.

What is a walk-in surrender with counsel?

A walk-in surrender is when you turn yourself in on a planned day, with your lawyer's help, instead of being arrested wherever police find you. It is usually the calmest and safest way to clear a warrant.

Here is how it typically works with our office:

1. We confirm the warrant and any bond amount.
2. We choose a surrender day and time that gives you a good chance at a fast first appearance, avoiding weekends and holidays when possible.
3. You arrange bond money and any personal matters ahead of time.
4. You go to the jail or designated location as planned, and you say nothing about the case.
5. We follow up on your first appearance and argue for release or a lower bond if needed.

A planned surrender keeps you from being arrested in front of your family, your coworkers or your neighbors.

Where will I be booked?

You will usually be booked into the jail for the parish that issued the warrant. In the Greater New Orleans area, that most often means:

• Orleans Parish: Orleans Justice Center, 2800 Perdido Street, New Orleans. Cases go to Orleans Parish Criminal District Court at 2700 Tulane Avenue.
• Jefferson Parish (including Kenner and Metairie): Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, 100 Dolhonde Street, Gretna. Felonies are heard at the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna.
• St. Tammany Parish: St. Tammany Parish Jail, 1200 Champagne Street, Covington.
• St. Bernard Parish: St. Bernard Parish Prison, 1900 Paris Road, Chalmette.
• St. Charles Parish: Nelson Coleman Correctional Center, 5061 LA Highway 3127, Killona.
• St. John the Baptist Parish: Lt. Sherman Walker Correctional Facility, LaPlace.

Our office is in Kenner, about 20 to 25 minutes (roughly 13 miles) from Orleans Parish Criminal District Court and about 25 to 30 minutes (roughly 16 miles) from the 24th JDC in Gretna. For other parishes, see our locations page.

What if I missed court and have a bench warrant?

If you missed a court date, a judge may have issued a bench warrant for your arrest. The longer you wait, the worse it usually gets.

A bench warrant can lead to an arrest at any time, including during a routine traffic stop. Your bond in the underlying case may be forfeited, and the judge may set a higher bond or none at all. Missing court can also be its own problem in front of the same judge who will decide your case.

Traffic tickets have extra consequences. If you miss court on a traffic ticket, the court notifies the state, which sends notice that your driver's license may be suspended if you do not appear or pay. Once the matter is resolved, you owe a $100 fee to the OMV to clear the pending suspension. See our traffic ticket page.

In some cases, a lawyer can ask the court to recall a bench warrant and set a new court date, sometimes without you spending time in jail. Whether that is possible depends on the court, the case and your history. Call us to find out.

Can a warrant from another parish catch up with me?

Yes. A warrant from St. Tammany, St. Bernard or another parish does not stay in that parish. If you are stopped anywhere, an officer can see an active warrant and take you into custody.

That can mean being held in one parish while waiting to be transferred to another, which can add time in jail before you ever see the judge on your case. A lawyer can often avoid that by arranging a surrender directly with the parish that issued the warrant.

We handle cases in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, Plaquemines, Tangipahoa, Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes, so we can deal with the warrant where it was issued.

What should I avoid doing if I have a warrant?

Avoid anything that makes you look like a flight risk or gives the State more evidence. In particular:

• Do not run or hide. It rarely works, and it can lead to new charges and a much higher bond.
• Do not ignore it. Warrants generally stay active until they are served or recalled.
• Do not explain yourself to police. If officers call asking you to "come in and talk," politely say your lawyer will contact them.
• Do not post about it online or text people about the case.
• Do not drive on a suspended license while you sort things out. Driving under suspension is a separate offense, and a conviction automatically extends the suspension by a year.

Talk to a lawyer about your warrant today

Barry S. Ranshi has worked on every side of the criminal system in this area: as a staff attorney to an Orleans Parish Criminal Court judge, as an Orleans Parish Assistant District Attorney, as a public defender in the 17th JDC, and now as a defense lawyer. He knows how warrants are issued, how first appearances work and how to get you in and out as smoothly as the law allows.

Call The Barry S. Ranshi Law Firm at (504) 905-8399. We answer 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Your first consultation is free and confidential, in person in Kenner or remotely. For more on what happens next, read what to do after an arrest in Louisiana.