Most of us are not too concerned with Houston traffic citations. In fact, speeding tickets and the like are generally more of an annoyance—and a financial burden—than anything else. Unfortunately, this attitude can lead to something much more serious than the original traffic ticket. If you agree to appear in court or pay your ticket, then you stuff it into a drawer and forget all about it, you could find, to your dismay, there is a warrant out there with your name on it. An arrest warrant—also known as an alias warrant—can result in your being arrested, at any time, no matter where you might be.
This means you could be at home enjoying movie night with your family, at work with your boss and co-workers looking on, or standing in line at the motor vehicle department for a totally unrelated matter. Each year, in an effort to allow all those with Houston warrants get out from under the black cloud of anxiety, the state of Texas holds their annual Great Texas Warrant Roundup.
The Houston Warrant Roundup commenced on March 07, 2015. The city MAY send out notices (when possible) to those with an outstanding warrant. These people MAY then have two to three weeks to take care of their warrant. This can be done by paying the fine, or by allowing a Houston traffic ticket lawyer post a bond for them, thereby lifting the threat of arrest. Once a Houston traffic bond is posted, your attorney can address the underlying traffic citations, determining the best way to handle them in order to avoid a conviction on your driving record. Houston law enforcement will be actively arresting those with outstanding warrants.
Of course the City of Houston will be very appreciative if all those with warrants will open their checkbooks and pay up. This may be the most expedient course of action, but may absolutely not be the best course of action for your future. While it may seem relatively harmless, by paying your ticket, you are admitting guilt, and will then be found “guilty.” This guilty verdict will go on your driving record, adding points and potentially causing your automobile insurance to skyrocket. Before you rush down to the courthouse to pay your fines because you are afraid of being arrested, take a breath, pick up the phone and contact a knowledgeable Sullo & Sullo Houston traffic warrant lawyer. Once you have consulted with an experienced Sullo & Sullo Houston Warrant Roundup Attorney, you will understand your position much better and can make a more informed decision.
Don’t Wait for an Embarrassing Arrest
In the City of Houston alone, there can be more than 300,000 outstanding warrants during any given month, and it is common for more than 4,000 Houston residents to be arrested during the Houston Warrant Roundup. The city typically brings in between $2.5 and $3 million in fines and fees during the Houston Warrant Roundup, therefore there is a significant financial motivation involved. This means that once the amnesty period is over, you can expect to see Houston law enforcement out in full force, arresting people at work, at home, at school, in their car, or in the grocery store line. Police officers will be methodically crossing names off their list. You don’t want to be one of the unlucky ones who is arrested and placed in a police cruiser. Allowing a Sullo & Sullo Houston Warrant Roundup Lawyer to post a bond on your behalf can effectively remove the threat of arrest, giving you a little more time to determine how best to proceed.
There are Alternatives to Paying Your Houston Traffic Tickets
At this point, don’t think it could not happen to you—you could absolutely be arrested and taken to jail. While it may seem easiest to pay your ticket, there are other alternatives. You can post a cash bond on your own, your attorney can post a traffic bond on your behalf. Allowing a Sullo & Sullo attorney to post your traffic bond means you then have the benefit of legal assistance for the original traffic citation. Depending on the circumstances of your original ticket, your Sullo & Sullo Houston traffic ticket lawyer may be able to negotiate deferred adjudication, have the ticket dismissed for cause, or recommend a defensive driving course in lieu of a guilty plea. Any of these solutions can potentially save you the inevitable points and repercussions which come with a guilty plea (paying your ticket).
Rather than waiting until the 2015 Houston Warrant Roundup is in full swing, contact an experienced Sullo & Sullo Houston traffic bond lawyer today for a comprehensive evaluation of your original traffic ticket as well as your outstanding warrant. Our attorneys can help those in the following jurisdictions:
· Houston Municipal Court
· Jersey Village Municipal Court
· Sugarland Municipal Court
· Stafford Municipal Court
· Missouri City Municipal Court
· Pasadena Municipal Court
· City of South Houston Municipal Court
· Baytown Municipal Court
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 1, Judge Gorczynski
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1, Place 2, Judge Patronella
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Place 1, Judge Parrott
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Place 1, Judge Adams
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, Place 2, Judge Lawrence
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, Place 1, Judge Ridgway
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 5, Place 2, Judge Williams
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7, Place 2, Judge Burney
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8, Place 1, Judge Williamson
· Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 8, Place 2, Judge Ditta