Frequently Asked Questions About Bench Warrants

Many people worry about their future after being served with bench warrant. But the outcomes that result from bench warrant proceedings are generally milder than those for arrest warrants. Nonetheless, it is important to educate yourself about the facts surrounding bench warrants to ensure that you are staying within the limits of the law, thus protecting your rights and preserving your freedoms.

Continue reading to review some frequently asked questions about bench warrants that might help you achieve this level of understanding.

Bench Warrant Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600
Bench Warrant Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 317-876-9600

Bench Warrant FAQS You Need to Know

What is a Bench Warrant? Is the Same as an Arrest Warrant?

In contrast to arrest warrants, bench warrants are used for minor cases, mostly citations and similar petty infractions such as traffic tickets or j-walking. A bench warrant is issued by the courts when a person misses their trial for a minor case or infraction, also known as an “FTA”, or “failure to appear.” The word “bench” in bench warrant essentially implies the judge’s seat, and requests that you answer to the court for both your original charge and now for your FTA offense.

Do I Have to Respond to a Bench Warrant?

If you do not take care of a bench warrant responsibly and in a way that the state or county expects you to, then you could be faced with an actual arrest warrant, which would force you to surrender to the jail. To respond to a bench warrant, contact the county clerks’ office and notify them that you got the document. From there, they will make arrangements for you to appear in court or see a judge, plus pay the assigned bail.

Do I Need a Bail Bond for a Bench Warrant?

If you cannot afford to pay the bail, you may be able to hire a licensed Indiana bail bondsman to act as a surety. They will cover the full cost, but only charge you a small, nonrefundable fee. Unfortunately, most bail bondsmen will not cover bail payments for bench warrants. If you are arrested for an outstanding bench warrant, you can contact a bail bondsman in Indiana to get you out of jail. This bail bond fee would be separate from your bench warrant bail payments.

Will I Spend Time in Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Probably not, but in the case of negligence, you might. If you do not satisfy your bench warrant obligations, you will eventually have an outstanding bench warrant against you. In this case, police can arrest you on the spot if you have an encounter with them, even if something innocent. For instance, if you are rear-ended by another driver, the responding officer can take you into custody once they run your information and see that you have an outstanding bench warrant.

Do you need to surrender to an arrest warrant or get a friend out of jail? Are you looking for the easiest and fastest way to do that? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for the fastest and friendliest bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Request a free estimate or information, anytime.

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What is a Bench Warrant?
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How an Arrest Warrant Will Affect You in Indiana

Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Warrants can be confusing to anyone, regardless of intellectual quotient. This is especially true since there are multiple kinds of warrants. You may already be familiar with arrest warrants, but there are also bench warrants issued for defendants of the county or city. If you are currently facing a bench warrant, it is important to take the responsible and lawfully-expected steps to remedy your legal matters. Otherwise, you could be surrendering to the jail and spending time there while awaiting your bail to be posted.

Continue reading to learn how to avoid jail time if you have just been issued a bench warrant in Indiana.

Bench Warrant Bail Bond Indianapolis IN 317-876-9600
Bench Warrant Bail Bond Indianapolis IN 317-876-9600

How to Manage a Bench Warrant

You were issued a bench warrant because you missed a court date. There could be other reasons, but this is the most common one. If you do not take care of a bench warrant responsibly and in a way that the state or county expects you to, then you could be faced with an actual arrest warrant, which would force you to surrender to the jail.

What to Do To Recall a Bench Warrant:

To satisfy a bench warrant, it is best to contact the county clerks’ office. You may also call or visit the local courthouse or police department in the county of the warrant.

Tell them about your bench warrant, then they will make arrangements for you to come in, in person, and pay the bail associated with the warrant. This step will keep you from being named in an arrest warrant.

Once you pay the bail, the court or judge will recall the bench warrant. If you cannot afford to pay the bail, you may be able to hire a licensed Indiana bail bondsman to act as a surety. They will cover the full cost, but only charge you a small, nonrefundable fee. But keep in mind that most bail bondsmen will not cover bail payments for bench warrants.

Since you missed your court date, your bail money has already been forfeited, so a bail bondsman would not likely pay your bond for you under the normal indemnity arrangement. This also means that you cannot get your bail money back from the court after you satisfy your bench warrant. If you ask the courts, they may grant you credit for your court fines and fees. But this is rare.

Are you ready to learn more about bail bond options in Indiana? Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for speedy and secure bail bond services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer prearranged bail bond service for arrest warrants and probation violations, too.

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Do I Need a Bail Bond for a Bench Warrant?

Bench warrants can be confusing, especially to someone who does not have a criminal past. If you have just discovered that there is a bench warrant ordered against you or a loved one, it is time to start learning the facts, including what to do, how to do it, and where to take your first step. One of the most frequently asked questions regarding bench warrants is whether or not a bail bond will need to be arranged.

Continue reading to learn the answer to this common question, as well as, additional information about bench warrants.

Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
Indiana Bench Warrant Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Bench Warrant Basics

No one likes the idea, or worse, possibility, of spending even one minute in jail. So, it is natural for a bench warrant defendant to immediately wonder whether or not they need to secure a bail bond in order to get out of jail as fast as possible. Prearranged bail bonds are a service often used for those facing arrest warrants. Prearranging bail bond service can speed up the surrender, booking, and release process. In many cases, the acting bail bondsman can drop the client off at the jail, and then pick them back up once they have been released on bail.

Arrest Warrants and Bail

As for bench warrants, a bail bond is not usually necessary. Although often confused with one another, arrest warrants and bench warrants are very different. Arrest warrants are ordered against defendants for serious criminal cases. They guarantee an arrest at some point in time, whether through a voluntary surrender to authorities, or an unanticipated arrest.

In contrast to arrest warrants, bench warrants are used for minor cases, mostly citations and similar petty infractions such as traffic tickets or j-walking. A bench warrant is issued by the courts when a person misses their trial for a minor case or infraction, also known as an “FTA”, or “failure to appear.” The word “bench” in bench warrant essentially implies the judge’s seat, and requests that you answer to the court for both your original charge and now for your FTA offense.

The Exception to the Rule

The exception to needing a bail bondsman to get you out of jail for a bench warrant is if the warrant goes outstanding. If you do not satisfy your bench warrant obligations, you will eventually have an outstanding bench warrant against you. In this case, police can arrest you on the spot if you have an encounter with them, even if something innocent. For instance, if you are rear-ended by another driver, the responding officer can take you into custody once they run your information and see that you have an outstanding bench warrant.

Where to Get Fast Prearranged Bail Bonds in Indianapolis

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indianapolis and throughout Central Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. We provide all Local, State, and National bonds, and serve over 30 Indiana counties. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bondsman
Indiana Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

What Do I Need to Do for a Bench Warrant?

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bench warrants are arrest warrants, simply put. They are generally issued in criminal cases after a person violates a court order. The term “bench” is meant to refer to the judge’s bench, while the phrase is meant to imply that an offender is being called to the judge’s bench to answer for their crimes. In Indiana, bench warrants are mostly issued for FTA violations. The acronym “FTA” stands for “failure to appear.” It is when a person fails to appear for a scheduled court hearing following an arrest or criminal charge. When this happens, offenders can expect a judge to issue a bench warrant authorizing law enforcement to arrest them on sight.

The Difference Between Arrest and Bench Warrants

Many people confuse arrest warrants with bench warrants since they both authorize the arrest of an offender. But the difference between the two warrants is great. For a judge to issue an arrest warrant, they must rely on the state’s testimony and evidence. Whereas a judge can issue a bench warrant solely on the violation of the court order itself.
Also, arrest warrants are usually issued for more serious cases, and will cause law enforcement to immediately begin the search and detainment an offender. When facing a bench warrant, a person’s name is entered and flagged into a state-wide database that is used by the entire law enforcement community. If they have a random (or even innocent) encounter with police, for instance a routine traffic stop, police CAN and WILL arrest them and take them into custody on the spot.

What to Do

If you are facing a bench warrant in Indiana, it is in your best interest to surrender to law enforcement as soon as possible. The safest and most comfortable method for turning yourself in is using the help of a local and experienced Indiana bail bond company. They can pre-arrange your release from jail so that you can turn yourself in, get booked into the jail’s system, and be home in time for supper. In most cases, an experience bail bondsman can obtain a release from jail for a bench warrant in as little as a couple of hours. This, of course, also depends on how busy the jail is that day and the amount of jail staff.

Many companies also offer free pickup and drop off services to and from the jail, to their office. This means you can easily drive yourself to the bail bond office, pre-arrange your bail bond, and get bailed out of jail, all on your own. Once you pay the bail for your bench warrant, the warrant is formally recalled. But then you will be scheduled a new court date to face your previous charges, as well as, the penalties for missing your initial hearing.

Woods Bail Bonds

Woods Bail Bonds Indiana

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to prearrange a bail bond in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of bail bondsmen, are licensed, insured, and bonded. They have served the Hoosier counties with trusted bail bond services for over 30 years! Whether you need to prearrange bail or post bail for a loved one, we are the friendly professionals for the job. We provide 24 hour bail bond services in virtually ALL Indiana counties, as well as, a wide range of additional services. Call 317-876-9600 to learn more about Indianapolis
bail bonds
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Do I Have to Go to Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

When a person is suspected of a crime, they are arrested and taken to jail in most cases. After they are released from jail, they are under legal supervision and mandated to obey certain court orders until they ultimately complete their sentence, also called probation or parole. Court orders can include a wide range of rules and requirements, and differ depending on a person’s criminal history, the crime they committed, their judge, and the state in which their crimes originated. Typical court orders include routine meetings with a probation officer or parole officer, surrendering to random drug screens, working community service, retaining full-time employment, and refraining from disobeying any laws.

If a person breaks any laws or fails to abide by all court orders, they are in violation of their legally-supervised probation. For this offense, the courts will issue a bench warrant for that person to address their violation and be reprimanded with additional legal penalties and court orders. A bench warrant simple requests a person’s attendance to the “judge’s bench” to face their penalties for violating probation or parole.

Surrendering to a Bench Warrant

Unfortunately, a person must surrender themselves to the custody of law enforcement to appease their bench warrant and settle their legal matters appropriately. If a person chooses to not voluntarily surrender to the jail, they risk being arrested by law enforcement at any given moment in time, including routine traffic stops, I.D. checks, and more. This only leads to further punishment. It is wise to turn yourself into law enforcement if you have a bench warrant issued in your name. The longer you wait to face your violation, the harsher the penalties may be. But don’t worry, there is some good news!

If you hire an experienced bail bondsman with a good-standing reputation among the local courthouses and jails, you most likely won’t have to wait long in jail before being released again on bond. In fact, you could be in and out in as little as one hour! The only reason you might have to sit in jail for a long period of time is if you are intoxicated, or the jail is particularly busy and understaffed. But you can avoid a busy jail by turning yourself in on an early week day when jails experience less traffic. James Woods, of Woods Bail Bonds, is the right bail bondsman for the job. Trust him to provide fast and friendly bail bonds services in Indianapolis, as well as, Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana!

Indianapolis Bail Bondsman

Woods Bail Bonds Indiana

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 when you need an Indianapolis bail bondsman you can trust. We are a licensed, bonded, and insured bail bond company that provides bail bond services all throughout Indiana. We offer free estimates, free jail information, free jail drop off and pick up services, inmate look-ups, and much more. Whether you violated your terms of probation or need to turn yourself in for an arrest warrant, we have the bail bond solutions for you! Call 317-876-9600 for fast and friendly assistance to get out of jail in Indianapolis, today.

Why Do Courts Issue Bench Warrants?

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds Indianapolis 317-876-9600

Bench warrants are a type of arrest warrant used in local jurisdictions. They are typically issued by the courts and signed off by sitting magistrates, or judges. A bench warrant stands in as a pending arrest; authorizing police to arrest a person any time or place, as soon as they are dispensed. If a person has a bench warrant, they should turn themselves in as soon as possible to avoid further punishment by the courts.

It is also in their best interest to research the best way to turn themselves in on a bench warrant, and how to post their own bail afterwards.

What are Bench Warrants?

Bench warrants are most commonly issued for people in contempt of court. If the court gives a person guidelines or legal obligations, such as drug screenings or future court proceedings, they are expected to fulfill all of their legal responsibilities. If they fail to do so, such as skip a court date or violate probation, they are issued a bench warrant. It is metaphorically bringing someone to the “judge’s bench” for ruling.

Bench warrants do not stop at the police department; they are also sided by the Department of Motor Vehicles, who will suspend a person’s drivers’ license as well. When there is a bench warrant issued for someone’s arrest, there is very few options left for that person until they turn themselves in to the court.

How to Self-Surrender to a Bench Warrant

To turn yourself in on a bench warrant, a person should first consult a lawyer about their options. This can allow a person to prepare for a short, or long, jail stay. They will have a chance to make arrangements with work, or family, as well as, bail arrangements. Once a lawyer is hired, they will give further instructions on what to do. If a person cannot hire a lawyer, they should call the jail, or the courts, and ask for instructions on how to turn themselves in on their existing bench warrant. Typically, you just show up to the jail and let them know you are turning yourself in, and then they take it from there. They will process you and then let you get a phone call. You can either call a friend, family member, or bail bond agency for help.

Woods Bail Bonds

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana

Bail Bonds Indianapolis Indiana 812-333-3399

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to turn yourself in for a bench warrant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and licensed bail bondsman, James Woods, has decades of experience in the bail bond industry and can provide accurate information regarding arrest warrants and more. We can get you a safe a secure release from jail in any county in Indiana. Call 317-876-9600 for professional bail bond services in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding cities.