What to do if you receive an arrest warrant at the airport?

Many people wonder if they can fly if they have a warrant? An airport is a high-security location where law enforcement has enhanced powers. Therefore, if you have a warrant, you are more likely to be prevented from flying due to your arrest. Regardless of your citizenship or legal status, learn your rights and legal steps to protect yourself. Let’s look at your legal rights if you are arrested at the airport, what to do in this situation, and whether you can challenge the warrant.

Arrested at the airport: What are your rights?

If you are arrested at the airport, you should remember that you have a number of basic rights. Your rights are guaranteed by international legal norms and the national legislation of the country in which you are located. Basic rights include:

• The right to be informed of the reasons for your arrest. According to Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, anyone arrested must be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest and the charges against them;
• The right to a lawyer. According to Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, you are guaranteed the right to qualified legal assistance;
• The right to notify consular offices. Consular officers can provide the necessary support and monitor compliance with your rights.

If you have been detained due to a warrant for your arrest, we recommend that you contact our human rights lawyer. Our specialist will provide you with legal protection at any stage of the case.

How to respond to an unexpected airport arrest warrant?

If you are not aware of an arrest warrant against you and it has caught you by surprise, do not panic. In this case, act consciously and do not go beyond the legal framework:

• Stay calm: an emotional outburst will only make your situation worse. Breathe deeply and keep a calm tone of voice, which will allow you to keep your thoughts clear;
• Demand official confirmation: ask law enforcement officials to present an arrest warrant and an explanation of the reasons for your arrest. Check that your personal information on the warrant is correct;
• Request legal assistance. Demand the presence of a lawyer – this is your legal right. Wait for the lawyer to arrive, do not give any testimony or sign any documents without his presence;
• Do not physically resist. If you are arrested, do not even think of offering physical resistance. Such actions will result in additional charges against you, which will worsen your situation;
• Write down the details. If possible, remember or write down the names of the officers who carried out the arrest, their badge numbers, the time and circumstances of the arrest. This information may be useful to your lawyer in the future;
• Do not sign anything without consultation. The documents you are asked to sign may contain confessions or waivers of rights. Sign documents only after consulting a lawyer.

Can you challenge an arrest warrant at the airport?

If you believe that a warrant for your arrest has been issued illegally or in error, be sure to seek legal assistance from a lawyer to begin the process of challenging it. The lawyer’s first steps include:

• Checking the legality of the warrant. Your lawyer will check that the warrant complies with legal requirements, including the availability of necessary information and compliance with procedural rules;
• Appealing to the court. You have the right to file a motion in court to have the arrest declared unlawful. This may result in your release and the termination of criminal prosecution;
• Contacting the consulate. Consular officers can assist in protecting your rights and assist in communicating with local authorities;
• Using international mechanisms. In the event of serious violations of your rights, a human rights lawyer will prepare an appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee or the European Court of Human Rights, after domestic remedies have been exhausted;
• Requesting temporary release. Your lawyer can file a motion for release on bail or on recognizance not to leave until the trial.

What legal steps follow an airport arrest warrant?

Once you have been arrested at the airport, with a warrant and reasons explained, a certain legal procedure begins:

1. Detention and interrogation. You may be taken to a police station or other investigative institution for interrogation. Remember that you have the right to refuse any testimony against yourself;
2. Drawing up procedural documents. Law enforcement agencies are required to draw up a detention report and other documents confirming the legality of their actions;
3. Preliminary investigation. Investigative agencies collect evidence and prepare case materials for submission to the court;
4. Selection of a preventive measure. The court considers the issue of a preventive measure. Possible options include detention, house arrest, bail, or a written undertaking not to leave;
5. Trial. At this stage, you and your lawyer can present evidence, challenge the charges, and use all available means of defense;
6. Sentencing. Based on the results of the trial, a sentence is passed. In the event of a guilty verdict, you are sentenced in accordance with the law;
7. Appeal and cassation. You have the right to appeal the verdict to higher courts. The time limits and procedure for filing an appeal are regulated by national legislation;
8. Execution of the sentence or release. If the sentence has entered into legal force and has not been overturned on appeal, the execution of the sentence begins. In the event of an acquittal, you are subject to immediate release.

Are you detained at the airport on the basis of an arrest warrant issued against you? Contact our team of lawyers. We will provide you with comprehensive legal protection and support of the case up to the court decision. Our legal lawyers will help you check the presence of your data on the Interpol lists, and in the event of your arrest, will provide you with reliable legal protection.

The article was prepared by Human-Rights Lawyers