When the state has valid evidence that a person has committed a crime, a warrant will be issued for their arrest. In other circumstances, a person may be issued a warrant for something other than their arrest, such as a bench warrant, which is still equally important and pressing.
Continue reading to learn the difference between arrest warrants and bench warrants, including what you need to do as a recipient of one.
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After a warrant is issues, the local police are notified, the Department of Motor Vehicles is alerted, and online databases are updated to inform the public of the notice. In terms of arrest warrants, you need to turn yourself in to authorities at the local police station as soon as possible; otherwise, you are considered a fugitive of the law. Bench warrants do not require jail time, but they do require a certain level of action.
Arrest Warrants
A person with a warrant out for their arrest can expect to live with a great deal of paranoia. This is because they can be picked up by the police and arrested on the spot at any place. They can be arrested at work, at home, in the gym, and anywhere else they might be noticed or discovered. Having a warrant is a serious, but resolvable situation. A person needs to contact an Indiana criminal defense lawyer and turn themselves into law enforcement before they get in more legal trouble.
Bench Warrants
A bench warrant is another term used for arrest warrant. Specifically, a bench warrant is intended to flag someone for violation, and call them to the judge’s “bench” for sentencing. They are generally issued when a person fails a court ordered drug test, skips a probation meeting, misses a court date, fails to pay a speeding ticket, or commits other similar court violations and minor infractions. Same as any other warrant, it is advised to turn yourself in before your legal situation escalates into something bigger.
Do You Have Questions About Your Warrant?
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