- 1). Decide whether you want an attorney to handle your case for you. Since you are going to the court, it is possible that you will be taken to jail if your request to remove your criminal warrant isn't granted. If this happens, you will want your own attorney to be notified, or else you'll have to deal with the public defender assigned your case.
- 2). Call your local clerk of court's office and tell them you want to schedule a hearing to eliminate an old warrant. Depending upon your locality, you may have to make a personal appearance, pay a fee or file paperwork. The paperwork will most likely consist of a Motion to Quash a Bench Warrant, which explains your case and makes a formal request for removing the criminal warrant.
- 3). Attend your hearing. If you cannot attend in person---because you have moved to another state, for example---you will need to inform the clerk of this to see if you can make other arrangements. A lawyer may be able to appear in your place to represent you, but this varies from state to state.
- 4). Present any evidence you have that helps your case. You can present factual evidence that you are not guilty, challenge the state's evidence or procedures, or argue that you will accept a reduced sentence or fine if the court eliminates the outstanding criminal warrant. If it is an old warrant for a minor charge, chances are it will be simply be removed with you only paying a fine or court fees.
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