There are many people right now that may have a bench warrant issued for their arrest and don’t even know it. A bench warrant is a bit different than an arrest warrant in that under a bench warrant, law enforcement officers won’t be actively searching for you, it’s not quite the same as an “arrest on sight” type of warrant for a more serious offense. Most bench warrant cases are long-standing because of the fact that they are generally only carried out upon police contact. For example, you could be driving and get pulled over for speeding, and upon running your license through his database the officer may see you have a bench warrant that you didn’t even know about and immediately arrest you. The main goal of this type of warrant is not to press a new charge on you, it’s to get you into court to resolve an old one with the judge. So, how do you deal with a traffic ticket warrant?
Contact Your County Court Clerk
Every court has its own procedure in place in regards to resolving bench warrants.
- You can contact the court clerk for the county the offense occurred in, and have them inform you of the steps you need to take in order to resolve the warrant issue.
- The clerk may require you to make an appearance and possibly pay a court fee or post bond for yourself before setting a hearing for you. Though the fee can sometimes be costly, it’s a better option than being arrested.
Quash the Warrant
Often considered the easiest option to pursue, you can also have your attorney file a Motion to Quash the warrant and request a date for a hearing to resolve the original issue with the judge. Though rare, some courts do require any defendant requesting to quash a warrant to make a physical appearance to prove his or her intentions to resolve the issue. This option may be considered the easiest, but can also be costly due to the fact that your attorney must be involved from the beginning.
Don't do Anything
Unfortunately, this is the option most people decide to exercise. You do also have the option of doing nothing to resolve the issue, though it’s generally never advised. The warrant doesn’t go dormant or have a statute of limitations, so it could be a couple of year when you have an incidental police contact and end up being arrested to be brought before the judge.
Getting Help
When a traffic ticket warrant has been issued for you, it is best to deal with it quickly so you don't have legal problems hanging over your head. Consult with a qualified and experienced attorney as soon as possible to find out your options for dealing with the warrant so you can protect yourself from larger fines, fees and charges.
