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

Pre-trial court order

First of all, try to contact your lawyer. If you are unable to contact a lawyer but still wish to resolve the order peacefully. You must appear at pretrial services in Courtroom C301 of the DC Superior Court. Once there, you will ask to speak to someone from the no-show unit. Do not make any statements to the pretrial services officer without an attorney. When the pretrial services officer asks why you didn’t show up, your response should be, “Before I answer, I’d like to speak to a lawyer.” The reason is that anything you tell the pretrial services officer could be used against a separate charge called bail reform 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 accompany you to the judge who issued the arrest warrant. They will contact your attorney or appoint a new attorney if you have not been assigned or retained an attorney.

Probation Show probable cause

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

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