This is the next post in our series on the handling of traffic warrants in Little Rock, Arkansas. Our last article discussed how traffic warrants sometimes lead to other criminal charges. It is important to understand that if the police stop you for a warrant, and find evidence of another crime, then you may face serious charges. If you find yourself in such a situation then you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. In this article we will discuss another important topic – the fact that you must handle an Arkansas traffic warrant even if you are out of state.
Many individuals make the mistake of thinking that they do not have to handle a traffic ticket which they receive in another state. One may think “I am not going back there again so I do not have to worry about it.” This belief is incorrect. If you miss your court date, fail to pay your fine, or engage in other behavior that creates a warrant then you will face consequences. The warrant will be placed in a database and your home state’s Department of Motor Vehicles will be informed of the situation. Your home state will likely suspend your driver’s license and your local law enforcement will have reason to arrest you if you are stopped for even a minor traffic offense. Furthermore, you will not be able to board an airplane for travel as security will stop you at the gate. TSA would have authority to take you into custody in such a situation. These are just some of the reasons why an out of state ticket or warrant should not be ignored.
If you reside outside the state of Arkansas and have an outstanding traffic warrant then retaining an attorney is the most efficient way to deal with the situation. Counsel will often be able to resolve the warrant and the underlying ticket. As long as you meet all of your requirements, such as paying the fine, then the issue will not create additional difficulties. Our Little Rock lawyers handle such matters and are ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. We also handle matters in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Springdale, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, Conway, Rogers, Pine Bluff and throughout the rest of the state.