In the case of search measures, a distinction must be made between whether it is a pure alert to find out a summons address or whether it is an alert for arrest. Both measures are initiated by the court if persons are to be found as accused in criminal proceedings.

How do I Find out that the Police are Wanted me?

You don’t always find out about this, also because the police and court usually rely on the element of surprise when issuing arrest warrants.

If you have been written out for arrest because you have not attended an earlier court date without excuse, it is possible that your criminal defense attorney knows which one you should consult. If an alert for arrest is enforcement for the start of a sentence or the execution of a substitute custodial sentence, you will have been sent mail beforehand, threatening the arrest alert. However, you will not be informed regularly if an arrest warrant according to §§ 112 StPO, z. B. because of the risk of flight against you.

If you have only been advertised in order to determine your address for service, you will find out about this because you will be briefly stopped at routine traffic controls or at the airport and asked for your address. You can then move around freely. In these cases, it can also be that the police z. B. asked neighbors and family about your whereabouts and tried to find you at your last known address.

If you are not sure whether you are being wanted, it is advisable to discuss this with your lawyer on a regular basis. In these cases, we try to find out by contacting the investigating authorities and inspecting the investigation file whether the police are looking for you and whether there is even an arrest warrant against you. In a subsequent consultation of the matter, we then work out the further procedure together.

What should I do if I find out that the police are looking for me?

This question can not be answered, generally. In order to discuss a further procedure, a previous inspection of the files is required. In some cases, for example, the arrest warrant can be averted by volunteering at the police or the court, or at least it can be suspended in response to conditions (e.g., bail and reporting requirements). We are happy to advise you as your criminal defense lawyer in your case with our many years of experience at our locations and beyond nationwide.

In which cases are people wanted?

If the court or the public prosecutor’s office is looking for you, criminal proceedings are usually pending against you, i.e., you are accused of criminal proceedings. Depending on the gravity of the charge, you will be posted for arrest or just for the alert.

However, there are also search notes from other institutions, e.g., B. from health insurance companies. These arise if claims are not settled there, and you do not know your address.