What to Do If You Have a Warrant?

By: John Guidry II

Just a word about warrants. You know, what should you do when you find out that there’s a warrant for your arrest?

I know that you’ve got to turn yourself in but, also, and I know this sounds like, well, never ask a barber if you need a haircut–but–you really do need to talk to an attorney.

There are some things we can do before you turn yourself in.

The first thing is, can we resolve this thing before you hit a jail cell? Because that makes you look better. If you’re going to be arrested for some theft and we can go make these people whole again, before you even hit a jail cell.

And, this “misunderstanding” that we know it is, rather than looking like some criminal act–that’s going to help your case down the road.

Everything we do prior to that warrant being served that can help the situation is going to lessen your sentence. Or, possibly sometimes even get the warrant dismissed. So, I know you’ve got to turn yourself in. I get that. But you also need to talk to an attorney and make sure that everything is in order and that everything has been done that should be done on your behalf before you go turn yourself in.

That’s the best game plan I can tell you to do. So, get to it.

About John Guidry II

John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.

Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.

When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.