Two warrants were issued for the acting and hip-hop star Mos Def, real name Dante Smith, in connection to a clash with a fashion photographer in August. Mos Def faces charges of felony robbery and malicious destruction of private property after photographer Volker Corell claimed the rap star ripped a camera from his neck, smashed it to the ground and then took off with it.

An arrest warrant is a warrant issued by and on behalf of the state, which authorizes the arrest and detention of an individual. Warrants are typically issued by courts but can also be issued by one of the chambers of the United States Congress or other legislatures (via the call of the house motion) and other political entities.

In the United States, an arrest warrant must be supported by a signed and sworn affidavit showing probable cause that:

- a specific crime has been committed, and
- the person(s) named in the warrant committed said crime.

An arrest warrant differs from a bench warrant in that a bench warrant is a court order that is issued after a person has failed to appear in court. If a person fails to appear in court, the judge may issue a bench warrant, which will allow law enforcement to detain the person. The purpose of a bench warrant is to achieve the court appearance of a defendant who is involved in a pending criminal action.

Once a person is aware that a bench warrant or arrest warrant has been issued in his/her name, it is always in his/her best interest to retain the services of a qualified criminal defense attorney. A warrant can lead to enhanced legal consequences such as jail time, fines, and probation. For this reason, it is always advisable that people consult with a defense attorney once a warrant has been issued for their arrests or detainment.

Kestenbaum, Eisner & Gorin, LLP is a criminal defense law firm that has been helping clients throughout Southern California contest their criminal charges and obtain superior results for years. Our skilled warrant attorneys have over 50 years of collective court room experience and we are fully prepared to undertake our clients’ cases. When we work with our clients, we do everything possible to make sure that they receive the attention, resources, and dedicated legal counsel that they deserve.

Source: Law Blog