Frequently Asked Questions About Bench Warrants

Posted on August 17, 2022 by admin

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.

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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.

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Do I Surrender to the Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Posted on April 6, 2022 by admin

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.

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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.

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What is a Bench Warrant?

Posted on November 1, 2017 by admin

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If you have just learned of a bench warrant, you are surely full of questions. Fortunately, a bench warrant is not exactly like an arrest warrant, where you must answer to it by surrendering to authorities and going to jail. However, there are stiff legal consequences for ignoring or neglecting a bench warrant. In these cases, jail could be a real possibility. Continue reading to learn more about bench warrants, including what to expect and who to talk to for professional advice.

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is issued by the courts when a person misses their trial. This is called 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. In contrast to arrest warrants, bench warrants are used for minor criminal cases, mostly citations and similar petty infractions such as traffic tickets or j-walking.

Although police will not be on the hunt for those with a bench warrant, the defendant will have their name entered into a statewide database that notifies law enforcement. This means that a person with a bench warrant can be arrested and taken into the custody by law enforcement if they are ever looked up in the database and discovered, such as in the case that they are stopped for a routine traffic offense or other scenario.

How it Works

Once you are aware that you have a bench warrant, the first thing you need to do is contact your private criminal defense lawyer. They will handle all aspects of your charges and give you step-by-step instructions on what to do in the best interest of your case. However, since most bench warrant cases are not serious, you may not need to contact your lawyer at all, especially if you are not a repeat offender.

Instead, you should contact a local Indianapolis bail bondsman to prearrange bail in your favor. This will save you hours of time and frustration. That is because after you call a bail bondsman, you will need to show up at the jail or county clerk’s office and submit to your bench warrant. This will entail you being taken into custody for processing, paying off court costs and fines for both the original charges and the FTA charge, paying off your bail, and then being issued a new court date. A bail bondsman can expedite this process for you, while also giving you a ride from their office, to and from the jail.

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Do I Have to Go to Jail for a Bench Warrant?

Posted on May 17, 2016 by admin

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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!

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Why Do Courts Issue Bench Warrants?

Posted on October 8, 2015 by admin

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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.

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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.

3 Common Types of Arrest Warrants

Posted on October 1, 2015 by admin

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Crimes are committed every day. Although many crimes are witnessed and addressed immediately by witnesses and police, there are much more carried out behind the eyes of the law. For these types of crimes, courts administer warrants for arrest. Even though a person commits a crime behind closed doors, doesn’t mean they won’t soon be accountable for those crimes. An arrest warrant is basically an affidavit of law, permitting the arrest of a person suspected of criminal activity or involvement.

Read on to learn the different types of arrest warrants commonly used here in the United States.

Outstanding Warrants

If a person has committed a misdemeanor crime, they will have an arrest warrant issued for them. This gives local law enforcement a heads up to look out for this particular guilty party. It also gives them permission to take them into custody for their suspected crime. For lesser crimes, police will not actively search down every guilty person with an outstanding arrest warrant, because there are simply too many. So if a person is not found for a while and neglected to turn themselves in, an arrest warrant becomes an outstanding warrant due to the amount of time it’s been active.

If you have an outstanding arrest warrant, you can choose to turn yourself in to authorities and face your charges; this way you can get it over with and put it behind you. If you do not want to turn yourself in, you are taking a huge risk that can affect your life down the road, substantially. It can affect your job, driving privileges, obtaining a passport, and many other areas of life.

Felony Warrants

Felony warrants are arrest warrants for more serious crimes that are categorized as felonies. This can include drug trafficking, solicitation, larceny, check fraud, multiple DUI charges, and other serious cases. For example, if a person runs a red light at an intersection and causes a serious accident, then drives off to avoid the consequences, the consequences will in fact be more severe, because that is a criminal act and a felony.

Bench Warrants

A bench warrant is a basic warrant; however, rather than being issued by the police, it is issued by a judge. It requires the defendant to be taken into to custody by police and brought to the theoretical “bench” of the court room to face their charges. Bench warrants occur when a non-violent and non-dangerous criminal act is committed. This includes, failure to appear for court, outstanding child support payments, failure to show for jury duty, and other similar legal orders.

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