Your Outstanding Pinellas County Warrant Could Result in a Passport Application Denial

Last year, our office wrote an article on how the Social Security Administration is actively suspending benefits due to outstanding Pinellas County arrest warrants. Recently, we have noted an increase in the number of clients calling us because their application for a U.S. Passport was denied due to an outstanding Pinellas County warrant.

The number of U.S. passports issued per year has doubled since 2001. Last year the United States Department of State issued a staggering 853,543 passports to Floridians alone. Given this large increase in passport applications, it is no wonder we are seeing a corresponding rise in denials. See official passport statistics.

The increased security measures instituted after 9/11 bear some of the responsibility for this trend. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative subsection of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act now requires passports to travel to and from countries traditionally exempted from a passport requirement. U.S. citizens who wish to vacation in the Caribbean or travel to Canada or Mexico must now possess a valid passport before boarding their flights.

There are a number of common reasons for the denial of a passport application:

Missing Documents;
Illegible photo copies;
Outstanding warrants;
Certain Felony Convictions;
Delinquent child support;
Back taxes

If your passport application has been denied for having an outstanding Pinellas county warrant, we can help. We are lawyers who can petition the Pinellas County court judge to withdraw your warrant. We can also negotiate with the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office to have them withdraw the criminal charge and the warrant. Taking a proactive approach in addressing your outstanding Pinellas County warrant can often likewise lead to the best possible resolution in your case. Our office may also be able to avoid a formal conviction in your criminal matter by showing your good faith in addressing the warrant.

Learn more about how we can help you deal with an outstanding Pinellas County arrest warrant by watching our video.

We can often advise you of your various options right over the phone.

Our office can:

Quickly verify whether a Pinellas County arrest warrant exists;
Ascertain the exact amount of bond the judge has set in your case;
Reveal the nature of the criminal charge related to the warrant and inform you why the warrant originally was issued;
Implement a plan designed to quickly have the warrant withdrawn so as to avoid your untimely arrest by the police.