Serious question about SSI, arrest warrants and whatnot...

Question

A friend of my family had an accident at a work site where a ladder fell from six stories and landed on his neck.

It was broken but thankfully he was not paralyzed.

The doctors said the longer he goes without surgery the larger the risk of him becoming paralyzed is.

He won a court case for ssi or disability (?) sorry I'm not sure which I could ask if it makes a difference,

but he had a warrant from another state for possession of marijuana (over seven years ago) and they will not release his money until he gets that cleared up, how should we go about doing that?

They had said something about a fine, but he can't work and we can't afford to pay the fine until his money is released... so I guess I'm asking what steps we should take to get this ball rolling?

Answer 1

Beg your friends or borrow to pay off the possession of marijuanal.

First, call the other county court and ask what you need to do to take care of the warrant. You may need to go there. Follow what they want to do. Get a copy of the minute entry. Send it to SSI.

Answer 2

Your only chance is to have an attorney (I know you said you dont have much money but if you did it they prob wouldnt talk to you or take you seriously) contact the prosecutor and tell them the situation and explain you want to resolve this matter.  Good luck

Answer 3

That's from the so-called "fleeing felon" statute.

It really only applies if (1) you have an outstanding "felony" warrant for your arrest, and you are actively avoiding arrest or submission to the court's authority, or (2) you are absconding from probation or parole.

If neither of the above two apply, then you can appeal SSA's decision to withhold benefits to a hearing officer.  The procedure should be in the paperwork your friend received.

In the meantime, it would be a good idea to clear the warrant.  Right or wrong, dealing with the SSA, and its minimum wage employees, is an absolute pain in the @ss.

Answer 4

Nothing can be achieved until that fine is paid off.  Borrow the money, or get another job and get the money together.