Yes. If you are accused of violating probation in California, the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest. This can happen if you miss a court date, fail to report to probation, do not complete required classes, fail a drug or alcohol test, stop making restitution payments, or are arrested for a new offense while on probation.
A bench warrant means law enforcement can arrest you and bring you before the court. Once you appear, the judge may decide whether to reinstate probation, modify your probation terms, impose jail time, or revoke probation altogether. The outcome often depends on the seriousness of the violation, your history of compliance, and whether the violation was intentional.
If you believe there may be a warrant for a probation violation in Orange County, do not ignore it. An experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to help you address the warrant, explain the circumstances, and argue for probation to remain in place.
Simmons & Wagner are Former Orange County District Attorneys who understand how probation violations are handled from both sides of the courtroom. Contact Simmons & Wagner today to discuss your defense options.