Warrants, whether arrest warrants for new charges or bench warrants for missed court dates, do not expire in Mississippi. Ignoring a warrant puts you at risk of arrest any time. The smart move is to call us, let us check your status discreetly, and if a warrant exists, we arrange a safe surrender WITH a prepared bond plan so you walk out, not to jail. Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 8 governs your release.
- Arrest warrants are for new criminal charges; bench warrants for missed court dates or probation violations
- Warrants do NOT expire, old warrants remain valid until recalled or served
- Turning yourself in WITH counsel and a bond plan beats waiting for a traffic stop
- We check status through Forrest County Circuit, Justice Court, and Hattiesburg Municipal Court
- Initial appearance within 48 hours (Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure § 5.1)
Criminal Defense for Warrant Issues in South Mississippi
Fear of an outstanding warrant keeps people trapped. You avoid traffic stops. You stay off social media. You worry about every interaction with police. That fear ends when you call a criminal defense attorney who knows how warrants work and can act fast.
For 45 years, Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A. has represented people facing warrant issues across Forrest, Lamar, Jones, Marion, Covington, Perry, and Pearl River counties. Tom Fortner, a partner and former public defender, knows both sides of the criminal justice system. He has arranged safe surrenders, negotiated warrant recalls, and fought improper arrests. We serve Hattiesburg, Purvis, Laurel, and throughout the Pine Belt. Our office is on Corinne Street, minutes from Forrest County Circuit Court and Hattiesburg Municipal Court.
Warrant Types: What You're Facing
Not all warrants are the same. Understanding the type of warrant and the underlying charges is the first step toward resolving it safely and efficiently.
Issued by a judge based on probable cause that you committed a new criminal offense. Police have authority to arrest you at any time. An arrest warrant may be for a felony or misdemeanor. Severity depends on the underlying charge.
Issued by a judge when you miss a scheduled court date, fail to pay fines or court costs, or violate probation or pretrial release conditions. Often resolved faster than arrest warrants if you have good cause for the miss and a bond plan ready.
Issued when you breach probation (drug test failure, missed appointment, new arrest, failure to pay restitution). These warrants are serious, they can result in revocation of probation and time in custody. An attorney fights for limited sanctions instead.
Issued for unpaid traffic tickets or municipal ordinance violations (disorderly conduct, speeding, failure to provide proof of insurance). Often resolved by payment or payment plan. Hattiesburg Municipal Court (701 James St) handles these.
When you miss court, a separate criminal charge is added: failure to appear. This is a misdemeanor (or felony if the underlying case is a felony). An FTA conviction creates a permanent criminal record. Turning yourself in before the FTA is filed prevents this.
A warrant issued in another Mississippi county or out of state remains valid and enforceable. You can be arrested anywhere and extradited. We coordinate with distant courts and jurisdictions to arrange safe surrender or contest validity.
The Safe Surrender Process: Step by Step
When you call us afraid of a warrant, here is exactly what we do. We move fast, and we prepare every detail so you know what to expect.
We discreetly contact Forrest County Circuit Court, Forrest Justice Court, Hattiesburg Municipal Court, and neighboring jurisdictions to confirm whether a warrant exists, what court issued it, what the underlying charge is, and current bond information.
We review the charge, the warrant reason (missed court, new offense, probation violation), and any defenses (improper notice, good cause for missing court, etc.). We determine whether a warrant can be recalled or if surrender is the best route.
We gather information about your employment, family ties, housing, community involvement, and financial ability to pay bail. We prepare a compelling bond argument showing the judge you are not a flight risk and deserve release on your own recognizance or low bail.
We call the appropriate court or police facility, schedule a surrender time, and arrange for you to appear with counsel. This avoids a public arrest at home or work and shows the judge you are taking responsibility.
You surrender at the scheduled time with your attorney. We present your bond plan to the judge, argue for release on recognizance or reasonable bail, and handle all paperwork. Your arraignment happens immediately or within 48 hours.
Once released, we begin the defense: reviewing police reports, investigating the underlying charge, filing motions, negotiating plea deals, or preparing for trial. No surprise arrests. No jail hold. You are free to work and plan your case.
Key Issues in Warrant Defense
Beyond the warrant itself, several legal issues arise. We address each one.
If you missed court, was notice served on you? Did you have a legitimate reason (illness, emergency, miscommunication with counsel)? We argue good cause for the miss and work to prevent an FTA charge from being filed.
Some warrants can be recalled, especially bench warrants for minor misdemeanors, municipal violations, or unpaid fines. We file motions to recall when circumstances justify it, saving you from jail custody entirely.
The judge's initial bond may be high. We file motions for bond reduction, argue you are not a flight risk, and push for release on your own recognizance. Success here means you are free during your case.
If you were not properly served with a summons or court notice, we challenge the warrant's validity. Lack of notice is a defense to failure to appear and can result in warrant dismissal.
For probation warrants, we argue the violation was technical or minor, that you have remedied it, and that revocation is unjust. We negotiate limited sanctions: extended probation, community service, or counseling instead of jail.
Warrants issued in neighboring counties (Lamar, Jones, Marion) or years ago remain valid. We coordinate with distant courts, arrange interstate warrant surrender, and negotiate dismissal or recall where possible.
Your Criminal Defense Team
Related Criminal Defense Services
Complete defense for felonies and misdemeanors across Mississippi courts.
Fight for lower bond and faster release after arrest or warrant surrender.
Defend against probation warrants and revocation charges.
Clean your record after conviction or arrest. Wipe away failure to appear charges.
Local defense for Hattiesburg Municipal Court and Forrest County Circuit Court.
See cases that drew AP, Reuters, and PBS coverage. Tom Fortner's track record.
What Clients Say About Our Defense Team
Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 21 Google reviews • Avvo 5.0 for our lead criminal defense partner
“Mr. Arman helped me with a serious felony case and was able to work out a favorable outcome for me and my family. I am grateful to him for his help and I think he is the best criminal defense attorney in Hattiesburg, MS.”
Avvo Review
“Mr. Miri represented me in a felony criminal matter and was able to get the case dismissed.”
Avvo Review
“Great team to work with. Very professional, responsive, and handled my case smoothly from start to finish. I’m very satisfied with the outcome and highly recommend them.”
Google Review
Reviews are from actual clients on Google and Avvo. Every case is different, prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Warrants in Mississippi
How do I find out if I have a warrant in Forrest or Lamar County?
Call our office at (601) 582-5015 and we can check warrant status discreetly through local courts in Forrest County Circuit Court (630 Main St, Hattiesburg), Forrest Justice Court (700 Main St), Hattiesburg Municipal Court (701 James St), and Lamar County Circuit Court in Purvis (15th District). You do NOT have to go to the police station yourself and risk arrest.
What is the difference between an arrest warrant and a bench warrant?
An arrest warrant (or capias) is issued when law enforcement needs probable cause to arrest you for a new offense. A bench warrant (or bench capias) is issued by a judge when you miss a court date, fail to pay a fine, or violate probation or release conditions. Both are serious, but bench warrants are sometimes easier to resolve if you have good cause for missing court.
Do warrants expire in Mississippi?
No. Warrants do not expire in Mississippi. An old warrant from five years ago, ten years ago, or longer remains valid until it is served or recalled by the court. You cannot simply wait out a warrant. Without legal action, it follows you through your entire life.
What happens if I ignore a bench warrant?
Ignoring a bench warrant creates serious consequences. You risk arrest at any time, during a traffic stop, at work, in public. Courts often increase bond amounts for repeat failures to appear and add a separate failure to appear (FTA) charge. The longer you wait, the worse it looks to a judge. Turning yourself in with an attorney and a prepared bond plan is far better.
Can a lawyer get a bench warrant recalled or quashed?
Yes. An attorney can file a motion to recall a bench warrant if you have good cause for missing court (illness, emergency, miscommunication with your prior attorney). Warrants for missed municipal court dates, unpaid fines, or technical probation violations can often be recalled. We prepare the motion, arrange a safe surrender, and work to dismiss the underlying case or resolve it favorably.
What should I expect if I turn myself in with a lawyer?
Your attorney will arrange surrender at the appropriate court or police facility, coordinate with the judge or magistrate in advance, prepare a bond plan showing your ties to the community and ability to pay, present you at the scheduled time, and argue for release on your own recognizance or a reasonable bond. This beats being arrested at a traffic stop with no preparation.
What happens at my first court appearance (arraignment)?
Your first court appearance (arraignment) must occur within 48 hours of arrest under Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 5.1. The judge will read the charges, inform you of your rights, set bond, and appoint counsel if you cannot afford one. Having your attorney present and having researched your bond plan is critical to avoiding excessive bail.
What is a failure to appear charge and how does it affect my case?
Failure to appear (FTA) is a separate criminal charge added when you miss court. It is a misdemeanor (or felony if the underlying case is a felony). An FTA conviction creates a permanent criminal record and can result in jail time and additional fines. Turning yourself in before an FTA charge is filed prevents this additional charge entirely.
What if my warrant is in another county or out of state?
Out-of-county and out-of-state warrants work the same way, they remain valid and enforceable anywhere. You can be arrested in Mississippi and extradited or held pending pickup. An attorney in your home state can coordinate with the issuing jurisdiction to arrange safe surrender, negotiate recall, or contest the warrant's validity.
What if the warrant is for unpaid fines or a missed payment?
Bench warrants are often issued for unpaid fines, traffic tickets, court costs, or probation fees. Many can be resolved by paying the balance, arranging a payment plan, or negotiating a waiver or reduction if you are experiencing financial hardship. An attorney can negotiate with the court and help you avoid jail time.
Can a warrant be recalled for a missed municipal court date?
Yes. Hattiesburg Municipal Court (701 James St) and other city courts often recall warrants for missed dates if you have good cause and appear with counsel. Miscommunication, illness, or emergency circumstances may be valid reasons. We file the motion and arrange a quick return appearance to resolve the underlying matter.
Which court in Hattiesburg or South Mississippi will handle my warrant?
It depends on the charge and the court that issued the warrant. Forrest County Circuit Court (630 Main St, Hattiesburg) handles felonies. Forrest Justice Court (700 Main St) and Hattiesburg Municipal Court (701 James St) handle misdemeanors and municipal violations. Lamar County Circuit Court in Purvis (15th District) handles Lamar County cases. We know the right court and the right judge for your situation.