I have a warrant for my arrest in Harris County. What do I do?
By Nathaniel Pitoniak on May 15th, 2019 in
Bench Warrant in Harris County
In recent years, changes have taken place to the bonding system. The procedure you follow to post bond on your criminal case depends on the court where your case landed. In some cases, a criminal defense lawyer you have hired can approach the judge and request that a bond be set. This will enable you to “walk through” the bond, a process where you go to jail and get fingerprinted and processed without having to spend the night in jail.
How to Post Bond?
Some judges refuse to set a bond on cases with warrants without you turning yourself in first. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in Harris County, Texas can help guide you through this process. In prior years, a bond schedule determined with some precision the amount your bond would be. However, magistrates have the discretion to set the bond according to what they believe is appropriate in each case now. Sometimes this results in pre-trial bonds where a defendant does not need to post any money to make bond.
Verified By: Nathaniel Pitoniak, Criminal Defense Lawyer & Former Prosecutor
Last Modified: August 5, 2026
Nathaniel Pitoniak is an experienced criminal defense attorney and former Harris County prosecutor based in Houston, Texas. With nearly two decades of legal practice, he has tried over thirty jury trials, ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and dedicated his career to fighting for the rights of individuals facing criminal charges.
Experience
- Proven Results: Has successfully tried more than 30 felony and misdemeanor jury trials and obtained hundreds of case dismissals. Secured notable outcomes, including a Not Guilty verdict in a serious felony trial carrying up to 99 years in prison, and substantial charge reductions in complex homicide matters.
- Prosecutorial Perspective: Served as a former Assistant District Attorney, felony prosecutor, and chief prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, gaining firsthand insight into how cases are built, evidence is evaluated, and risk is assessed by the state.
- Client-Centered Resolution: Skilled in positioning cases for trial while actively seeking pre-trial intervention agreements and charge dismissals to help clients avoid conviction, preserve professional licenses, and protect immigration status.
Education & Academic Leadership
- Education: Earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The University of Houston Law Center.
- Academic & Professional Foundation: Trained extensively at the University of Houston Law Center and honed his trial advocacy during his tenure at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Credentials & Recognition
- Courtroom Credibility: Earned praise from opposing prosecutors for trial advocacy, as well as high acclaim from clients for steady, honest, and persuasive representation in high-stakes criminal matters.
- Broad Legal Expertise: Represents clients facing a wide range of state and federal charges, including drug offenses, violent crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, and white-collar offenses.
Connect with Nathaniel: Bio | Firm Office: (346) 589-7074
