Bench Warrant

A bench warrant is a court order issued directly by a judge from the bench (the judge's seat in the courtroom) to a law-enforcement officer to arrest and bring an individual before the court for failing to appear in court for the following reasons:

• Failure to appear in court as ordered by the judge
• Failure to appear in court after being given a traffic citation and promising to appear in court
• Failure to appear in court after being released from custody on his or her promise to appear in court (commonly refereed to as "OR" or "Own Recognizance")
• Failure to appear in court as requested by his or her attorney or the judge
• Failure to pay fines or restitution as ordered by the court
• Failure to appear in court for sentencing, or surrender for jail time
• Failure to obey a court order, such as a Criminal Protective Order or Stay Away Order (usually ordered in domestic violence cases)
• Failure to appear in court for a hearing or trial
• Failure to obey a subpoena after being properly served
• Failure to appear for jury duty, and
• Failure to appear in court after an Indictment or Information has been filed by the court.

In some cases, a judge may set a bail on the bench warrant or may order that you remain in jail without bail. If you are stopped by the police and there is an outstanding bench warrant, you could be taken to jail. You could go to jail for something as simple as failing to pay a fine or missing a court date for a progress report. That is why it is important to consult with a criminal defense attorney as soon as you learn there is an outstanding bench warrant.

If you or someone you know has an outstanding bench warrant, contact an experienced bench warrant attorney to resolve your matter without going to jail.