Federal arrest warrants are commands issued by a judge to law enforcement to arrest the person suspected of committing a crime. In cases where police have probable cause, they will typically execute the warrant and make an arrest. The suspect can choose to waive their Miranda rights and speak with the officer voluntarily, but this could affect their outcome if they are found guilty. If you need information about federal arrest warrants, here are some things you should know.
A judge issues a federal warrant. These warrants are generally associated with serious crimes, such as drug offenses, violent crimes, and murder. It is also called an arrest warrant, a bench warrant, or an indictment. The issuing judge will typically issue an arrest warrant if the suspect has failed to appear in court after being subpoenaed or has otherwise communicated with law enforcement in connection with the case.
A federal arrest warrant can be issued for any person suspected of committing a crime under federal jurisdiction. Some states do not share information about federal arrests with other states unless there is a reciprocal agreement between them; however, this does not necessarily mean that you won’t face charges under state and federal laws. You will likely have to be charged under both state and federal laws in such cases.
The court does not directly issue a federal arrest warrant. Instead, it is issued by a judge of the court who has probable cause to believe that the person named in the warrant has committed a crime in connection with which they are wanted for arrest. The judge issues the warrant and then informs law enforcement of its existence. The police then act on it and go after the person named in the warrant. If they are successful, they will arrest them, take them or her into custody and bring them before a judge who will decide whether there is enough evidence to hold that person for trial. If an arrest warrant is issued for someone who has already been arrested, they will be brought before a judge who will decide whether to release them on bail while awaiting trial.
It depends on the judge who issues it. If the judge is not familiar with a case and needs time to review it, then there may be a delay. This can be especially troublesome if the person named in the warrant is in a foreign country where they cannot quickly be extradited. The person will be arrested, brought before a judge who may or may not decide that there is enough evidence to hold them for trial, and then released on bail. This can take several months or even years, though it often happens much faster than if the judge decides that there isn’t enough evidence.