Location: Indianapolis IN
I was unexpectedly arrested at my home on Saturday by deputies stating they were doing “warrant sweeps”, said they had a warrant for my arrest. These sweeps aren’t uncommon where I live. (Indianapolis)
But… I never had a clue in the world that there was a warrant or even criminal charges filed against me.
Apparently, there was some investigation or some complaint made, and the prosecutor filed charges (misdemeanor theft) against me June 4.
According to the public website, after the charges were filed a summons was sent to me to inform of court date. The highly problematic part of this is that they sent it to an address. I’ve never been to, never been associated with, and absolutely random address that has nothing to do with me.
The arresting officers were just picking up people with warrant they had no information about the charges and didn’t even have an actual warrant. (I’ve read that’s normal?)
I was processing booked into the county jail and spent two days there, before I was released on a $1000 cash bond.
Two days and $1000 later, I walk out of the jail, still never having seen a warrant and still never having received a single bit of information about what this is even about. Just a court date for today (Tuesday).
I have learned by reviewing the public case website that the warrant (and subsequent $1000 bond) was issued not for the charges but for the failure to appear at the initial court hearing. You know, the court hearing that I was notified of via a summons sent to an entirely random address that I have never been to.
People have encouraged me to reach out to the public defenders office prior to my hearing however, that is misguided advice because the public defenders office will not communicate with you or consult prior to being assigned to them by the judge. I have additionally reached out to at least a half dozen criminal defense attorneys locally because I’m strongly considering going that route, and I’m still panicking as I wait for a consultation that I pray comes this morning.
My question is not regarding the charges against me or the case, I don’t even have information about that.
My question is about $1000 cash bond. All things I have read and heard basically said you can forget about that money until this is all over. However, there never should’ve been a bond because there never should’ve been a warrant because they’re never would’ve been a failure to appear if the court had not made a blatant and easily provable clerical error, of sending the summons to the wrong address.
That was my rent money. Also, it never should’ve gone down that way.
Is there wiggle room around the situation, any chance I might be able to have my bond returned? Because I would’ve appeared, I’ve never even been arrested before this— I’m just a clueless lady who complies to a fault.