What is the best time to hand yourself in?

Asked by: Prof. Reginald Botsford  |  Last update: December 23, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (35 votes)

Timing is crucial when turning yourself in. Arriving at a detention facility or court during weekday business hours gives you the best chance of being processed and appearing before a judge the same day. This minimizes the time you spend in custody.

What is the best time to turn yourself in?

If you will be able to post bond, then the best time is early morning (if you know when breakfast is served at the jail go one hour after breakfast) with cash in your pocket. If you will have to see a judge for a bond hearing, hire an attorney and have him prearrange the hearing and follow his advice.

What should I do before I turn myself in?

You should definitely contact an attorney before turning yourself in. There's likely a bail amount set on the case and at a minimum, an attorney can find out how much the bail is. If you turn yourself in without knowing how much bail is, you may be sitting in custody for up to a week before they bring you to court.

When to turn yourself in for a warrant?

When a warrant is issued for an individual's arrest, the timeline to turn oneself in can vary based on the specific circumstances of the case and jurisdiction. While some might assume there's a grace period, this is not always true, and the individual is typically advised to address the warrant as soon as possible.

Is it better to run or turn yourself in?

The choice to turn yourself in is up to you, but voluntarily doing so improves the likelihood of a more positive outcome for yourself at a bail hearing and at trial.

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Is it smart to turn yourself in?

The decision to voluntarily turn yourself in can show you're attempting to cooperate with the police. Again, this simple act can provide your attorney with room to work proactively on your case, while eliminating many negative consequences that could otherwise happen.

Can you post bail before turning yourself in?

Posting bond before turning yourself in will not only speed up the process but may save you money. Once the bond has been posted, the person with the warrant will be able to turn themselves in without having to pay their full bail amount up front. The bond agency guarantees the payment.

Does turning yourself in help your case?

While turning yourself in is often the best way to regain control of the situation, it's not a decision to take lightly. Before you act, there are important factors to consider, such as what to expect during the process, how to minimize time in custody, and how proper preparation can protect your rights.

What to expect when you turn yourself in?

What Happens When I Turn Myself In?
  • Processing: You will be taken into custody and processed, which includes taking fingerprints, photographs, and personal information.
  • Arraignment: You'll be brought before a judge for arraignment, where charges will be formally read, and your bail will be set.

How long after sentencing do you have to turn yourself in?

Voluntary Surrender

This means that about 14 to 30 days after sentencing you will report directly to the federal prison designated for sentence. Otherwise, you would go directly into custody at the sentencing hearing if you receive a prison sentence.

What do you wear when you turn yourself in?

When you arrange to turn yourself in, try to wear comfortable clothing that doesn't look sloppy. If you intend to post bail immediately, bring your credit card or cash to pay the bond and essential identification, like a driver's license or state ID card.

Where do I turn my self in?

If a judge issues an arrest warrant, and the state has not yet filed criminal charges against you, then you can turn yourself in by going to the police department. When you do, you should plan on dressing appropriately and make sure to bring basic identification documents (for example, a driver's license).

Is it okay if I turn myself on?

You might be autosexual. If you've never heard of autosexuality before, sexologist Lauren French describes it as "someone who's sexually attracted to themselves and gets off on the idea of being intimate with themselves." A recent article from Dazed Digital spoke to three people who identify as autosexual.

Does turning yourself in reduce your sentence?

There are so many things that factor into sentencing that there is no way to say “turning yourself in will cut off 2yrs or 60% of your sentence.” In general, in the US plea deals result in less harsh punishments because you are saving the state the time, money and uncertainty of a trial.

What does turning myself in mean?

Defendants must only turn themselves in when an active warrant is out for their arrest. Turning yourself in does not mean that you are confessing to a crime or entering a guilty plea; it only means that you are not obstructing justice.

What is the best day to turn yourself in?

It is often best to turn yourself in on a weekday other than Monday or Friday and as early in the day as possible.

What to bring to turn yourself in?

When you are turning yourself in, you should bring a photo identification with you, such as a driver's license, passport, or military identification card. If you take any prescription medications, bring the medications with you. Only non-expired prescription medications are allowed.

Can I pay my bond before turning myself in?

The answer is no, but you can prepare. The reason you can't post bail before turning yourself in is that your bail amount is usually set during your first court appearance. What you'll want to do is contact a bail bond company so that they can get ready to post bail for you.

Will a lawyer turn you in?

Can My Lawyer Turn Me In? With a few exceptions, your attorney is required to maintain lawyer-client confidentiality. This means that he or she cannot reveal any oral or written statements you make to anyone, including prosecutors, family members, friends, and employers, without your consent.

Are you handcuffed if you turn yourself in?

It depends. If you turn yourself in at the police station or jail and have no property or contraband on you, you might not get cuffed just to be escorted to the secure book in area of the jail.

How long do you have to turn yourself in after a warrant?

The straightforward answer is that no official grace period or time limit exists. Legally, the police can arrest you immediately once an active warrant exists. However, you may have time before law enforcement actively seeks you out.

Do you have to pay the full amount of a bond?

Bail bond agents provide written agreements to criminal courts to pay the bail in full if the defendants whose appearances they have guaranteed fail to appear on their trial dates. Bail bond agents generally charge 10% of the bail amount upfront in return for their service and may charge additional fees.

Can you get out of jail if you have no bond?

A release on own recognizance (O.R.) is given to defendants who have not been deemed a 'flight risk' by the law. The court will let a defendant get out of jail without posting bail.

What is a ramey warrant?

A Ramey warrant is a type of arrest warrant issued by a judge before formal criminal charges have been filed by the district attorney. Named after the California case People v. Ramey (1976), it allows law enforcement to arrest a suspect based on probable cause without needing to wait for the prosecutor to file charges.

What to do if you have a warrant in NC?

Here are the steps you can take to resolve a warrant and potentially avoid arrest.
  1. Confirm the Warrant. Before doing anything, confirm that the arrest warrant exists. ...
  2. Consult with an Attorney. ...
  3. Voluntary Surrender. ...
  4. Arrange for Bond or Bail. ...
  5. Clear the Warrant Through the Court. ...
  6. Attend the Required Court Hearing.