Yay for out-of-the-blue bench warrants!

[Buddhaman]

So I get a text from my mom last night (she lives in Sulphur) asking me why my name was in the paper under bench warrants. This was at 9pm so I couldn't call anyone to find out what was going on so fast forward to this morning. Call the Murray County courthouse, sure enough it's for me and they direct me to the DAs office. Give them a call, yeap, domestic violence from Sept, 2004. I was 17 at the time, got in a fight with a friend and hit my sister when she stepped in (don't lecture, heard it 6 years ago). Cops came out, yadda yadda, never got anything in the mail to appear before the judge. Now, 6 years later I've got a bench warrant out for me. I've been pulled over for speeding 4 years ago and nothing showed up, got married 3 years ago, and then yesterday I've got a warrant!

So I get to go down to Sulpur (I live in Norman) and "turn myself in" at 1pm today. Had to take the day off work and I'm probably going to get some lovely court fees. The friend I got in a fight with doesn't even live in Oklahoma anymore but my sister still lives in Davis. Would it be worth it for me to take her along since she's on the warrant against me? Or should I just be ready to walk in, bend over and get shafted? Anyone who can help please chime in. I have a couple hours before I leave so I want to be as prepared as possible.

 

[Michael Brown]

So I get a text from my mom last night (she lives in Sulphur) asking me why my name was in the paper under bench warrants. This was at 9pm so I couldn't call anyone to find out what was going on so fast forward to this morning. Call the Murray County courthouse, sure enough it's for me and they direct me to the DAs office. Give them a call, yeap, domestic violence from Sept, 2004. I was 17 at the time, got in a fight with a friend and hit my sister when she stepped in (don't lecture, heard it 6 years ago). Cops came out, yadda yadda, never got anything in the mail to appear before the judge. Now, 6 years later I've got a bench warrant out for me. I've been pulled over for speeding 4 years ago and nothing showed up, got married 3 years ago, and then yesterday I've got a warrant!

So I get to go down to Sulpur (I live in Norman) and "turn myself in" at 1pm today. Had to take the day off work and I'm probably going to get some lovely court fees. The friend I got in a fight with doesn't even live in Oklahoma anymore but my sister still lives in Davis. Would it be worth it for me to take her along since she's on the warrant against me? Or should I just be ready to walk in, bend over and get shafted? Anyone who can help please chime in. I have a couple hours before I leave so I want to be as prepared as possible.

If you don't want a lecture, don't post on a public forum about the unfairness of the process.

Go to court, bring a lawyer, ask your lawyer to ask your sister if she's willing to come and testify on your behalf, and show some maturity throughout.

It will work better for you that way.

Michael Brown

 

[redneck1861]

it probably wouldnt hurt to take her

 

[Kingmarine]

I would listen to Michael Brown. Lawyer and sister would definately be a plus just in case. You never know what they have in mind.

Strange after so long though.

 

[Buddhaman]

If you don't want a lecture, don't post on a public forum about the unfairness of the process.

Go to court, bring a lawyer, ask your lawyer to ask your sister if she's willing to come and testify on your behalf, and show some maturity throughout.

It will work better for you that way.

Michael Brown

I was referring to getting a lecture for hitting my sister. We got over the fight in a day and were joking about it a week later. I'm about 99% sure she wouldn't mind testifying if I could get ahold of her (never answers her phone). I'm not saying the process is unfair, just that it took 6 years for a warrant to show up and I never received anything in the mail about it. I'm glad my mom read the legal section of the paper because I don't.

 

[338Shooter]

I'd get it taken care of ASAP. Misdemeanor domestic violence will bar you from owning a firearm from what I understand.

 

[grizzly97]

I would def suggest taking your sis! From the sounds of it all, she wouldn't mind testifying on your behalf. I feel ya on the outa the blue stuff. I applied for an apartment in 08 and turned out that i had a felony on my record from 00. Freaked me out! Was able to buy guns and everything between then though. But yeah, take your sis and if you have time to find/get one, take a lawyer too. Good luck my man!

 

[Old Fart]

This reminds me of when the U.S. Office of Comptroller did a background on me.
They found a tax lien that was about 20 years old that the OK State Tax Commission had dropped the ball on.
Those people at the state dept. were falling all over thierselves trying to back peddle on that one.
But the good thing was I found it and got it cleared up.
Same for you, a chance to get it cleared up before it causes you some real problem.

 

[Powerman620]

I read in our local paper where the city here is going back 10 years now and try to collect unpaid traffic fines. They said they have around $16,000 out and are uncovering more. I wonder if warrants will be issued for these? That could catch a guy off guard real easily!

 

[inactive]

If you don't want a lecture, don't post on a public forum about the unfairness of the process.

Go to court, bring a lawyer, ask your lawyer to ask your sister if she's willing to come and testify on your behalf, and show some maturity throughout.

It will work better for you that way.

Michael Brown

+1 on all of this.

I know in many (or perhaps most) jurisdictions, DV is not optional or discretionary but arrests and charges must be brought forward. So I am curious why the charge is just now being brought forward. What is the statute of limitations on DV here? And why would the DA just now be digging it up?