How to Find Out if Criminal Charges Are Filed Against You

If you were recently involved in an incident that you think might lead to criminal charges, there are certain steps that you should take right away. First, it is important that you take prompt legal action because once charges are filed in the Texas Criminal Court System, they will not go away until you deal with them in the courtroom. In some instances, you may be able to check online to see if you are a named defendant in a criminal case. However, to be on the safe side, it is important that you speak with knowledgeable legal counsel as quickly as possible. 

At the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC, our legal team can perform the necessary legwork to determine if charges are currently pending against you in a criminal case. If they are, we could help you plan a defense strategy and take the appropriate legal actions on your behalf in court. 

Finding Out if You Have Pending Criminal Charges without Consulting a Lawyer

In some cases, you may be able to determine on your own if you have pending criminal charges against you. At other times, however, you may not be able to make that determination. If the Texas government (through the state prosecutor) has already filed a case in the court system, a Clerk of Court might be able to tell you that a case is pending. 

However, if criminal allegations are still under investigation by the Texas State’s Attorney’s Office – and there is no criminal case pending in the court system – the Clerk of Court may not be able to provide you with any information. 

You could also check the online case search function on the Texas Court website and enter your name, as well as the court where the incident occurred, to see if a criminal matter is currently pending against you. 

How Could a Lawyer Help Determine if There’s a Warrant Lodged Against Me?

An experienced Texas criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC, will be able to take the necessary steps to determine if you currently have a warrant lodged against you. First, we could contact the court on your behalf and see if your name is in the court system’s records. We may also be able to contact the local police office to see if they currently have a case pending against you in the court system. 

What if an Arrest Warrant is Already in Place?

Once the court enters an arrest warrant, law enforcement officers throughout the United States are able to see the warrant and potentially arrest you for the underlying criminal offense. If you are the subject of an arrest warrant, you are far better off getting to court before a police officer has a chance to formally arrest you and take you into legal custody. 

Moreover, there are several potential advantages to retaining an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney and surrendering yourself to the court. Those advantages include the following:

• A low bail
• The ability to appear in court at a more convenient time than otherwise might be available
• Respect from the presiding judge, given that you took your case seriously and retained legal counsel in a timely manner
• A decreased likelihood that a police officer might tack on additional criminal charges
• A decreased likelihood of an arrest at your home or place of work

Call a Knowledgeable Criminal Defense Lawyer in Texas about Your Arrest and Charges Right Away

If you think you may be the subject of a criminal warrant – or if you become aware that a warrant already exists, it is important that you take legal action right away. At the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC, we can take the necessary steps to safeguard all of your legal rights and ensure that they remain protected while your criminal case is pending. We could also represent you in all legal proceedings in your case and work to achieve the best possible result on your behalf. 

For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a Texas criminal defense attorney, please call us at 512-369-3737 or contact us online.