The first question to ask yourself is whether the order is a probation order or a pre-trial arrest warrant. A court order of probation means that the judge has sentenced you and you were on probation in court and then did not show up for your good cause hearing. A show cause hearing is a hearing that is scheduled because the probation officer alleges that you violated a condition of probation. A pretrial warrant means that you did not show up for your arraignment, status hearing, trial, or sentencing hearing. If a pre-trial arrest warrant was issued, you failed to appear after signing the notice to appear.

Pre-Trial Warrant

First of all, try to contact your lawyer. If you are unable to contact an attorney but still want to resolve the order peacefully. You must appear at pre-trial services in Courtroom C301 of the DC Superior Court. Once there you will ask to speak to someone from the fail-to-appear unit. Do not make any statements to the pretrial services officer without an attorney. When the pretrial services officer asks why you did not appear, his response should be “Before I answer, I would like to speak with an attorney.” The reason is that anything you say to the pretrial services officer could be used against a separate charge called a bail reform law violation. A violation of the bail reform law can carry up to 180 days in prison if you failed to appear for a misdemeanor or 5 years in prison if you failed to appear for a felony or for sentencing. After that, the pretrial services officer will escort you to the judge who issued the arrest warrant. They will contact your attorney or appoint a new attorney for you if you have not been assigned or retained an attorney.

Parole Show Just Cause

Warranting probation is a bit more difficult because the probation department does not have an office in Superior Court unlike pretrial services. A lawyer can be very helpful in showing her side of why the probation officer was wrong. Contact the attorney you hired or have been appointed before you go to court. If you do not have money to hire an attorney, or cannot contact your designated attorney, go to the Public Defender Service at 633 Indiana Avenue, 2nd Floor and they will arrange to find your attorney or provide one for you.

Always remember that it is better for your attorney to represent you in Court than you.