Summons instead of arrest warrant

(a) As an alternative to an arrest warrant as provided in § 40-6-205, the magistrate or clerk may issue a criminal summons instead of an arrest warrant. In determining whether to issue a criminal summons or an arrest warrant as provided in § 40-6-205, this subsection (a) shall apply: Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!(1) If a single or multiple affiants are seeking a warrant of arrest for a felony or misdemeanor offense, and at least one (1) or more of the affiants is a law enforcement officer, as defined by § 39-11-106, the magistrate shall issue an arrest warrant unless the law enforcement officer requests a summons be issued instead; (2) If a single or multiple affiants are seeking a warrant of arrest for a misdemeanor offense, as defined in § 39-11-110, and none of the affiants is a law enforcement officer, as defined by § 39-11-106, there is a presumption that the magistrate shall issue a criminal summons. The presumption is overcome if: (A) The affiant or affiants request a warrant, submit sufficient information demonstrating the need for a warrant, and the magistrate agrees that an arrest warrant should be issued instead of a summons; or (B) The magistrate finds an arrest warrant is necessary to prevent immediate danger to a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking as defined in § 36-3-601; (3) If a single or multiple affiants are seeking a warrant of arrest for a felony offense as defined in § 39-11-110, and none of the affiants is a law enforcement officer, as defined by § 39-11-106, there is a presumption that the magistrate shall not issue either a criminal summons as provided in this section, or an arrest warrant. This presumption is overcome if the magistrate finds an arrest warrant is necessary to prevent immediate danger to a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking as defined in § 36-3-601. (b) The criminal summons shall be in substantially the same form as an arrest warrant except that it shall summon the defendant to appear before the magistrate or court at a stated time and place. It shall give notice to the person summoned that: (1) The defendant is being charged with a state criminal offense; (2) The summons is being issued in lieu of an arrest warrant; (3) The failure to appear in court on the date and time specified is a separate criminal offense regardless of the disposition of the charge for which the person is originally summoned; (4) Failure to appear for booking and processing is a separate criminal offense; (5) An arrest warrant will issue for failure to appear for court or failure to appear for booking and processing; (6) The failure to appear for court or failure to appear for booking and processing shall be punished as provided in § 39-16-609; and (7) The defendant is encouraged to consult with an attorney about the summons. (c) The summons shall be executed in triplicate and shall include a copy of the affidavit of complaint. When the summons is served, the original is to be returned to the court specified in the summons, one (1) copy, including a copy of the affidavit of complaint, given to the person summoned, and one (1) copy to be sent to the sheriff or other law enforcement agency in the county responsible for booking procedures. (d) By accepting the summons, the defendant agrees to appear at the sheriff’s department, or other law enforcement agency in the county responsible for booking procedures, to be booked and processed as directed by the sheriff’s department or other responsible law enforcement agency. If the defendant fails to appear for booking and processing as directed, the court shall issue a bench warrant for that person’s arrest. Failure to appear for booking and processing is a separate criminal offense and shall be punished as provided in § 39-16-609. (e) The sheriff or other law enforcement agency in the county responsible for serving the summons shall provide the defendant with notice of a court time and date the defendant is to appear. The notice shall be given either at the time the summons is served or at the time the defendant is booked and processed, if booking and processing is ordered to occur prior to the first court date. The court date so assigned shall be not less than ten (10) calendar days nor more than forty-five (45) days from service of the summons or booking and processing, if booking and processing is ordered to occur prior to the first court date. The notice shall be explicit as to where and when the court is to convene and shall advise the defendant that the defendant is encouraged to consult with an attorney about the summons. The court clerk, sheriff, or other law enforcement agency shall provide notice to the affiant, or affiants in the case of multiple-affiants, of the date and time when the defendant is required to appear before the court. (f) If the person summoned fails to appear in court on the date and time specified, the court shall issue a bench warrant for the person’s arrest. Failure to app